Vetiveria zizanioides
Vetiveria
Taxonomy and growth
Uses
Edible uses
The roots are aromatic and are used as a food flavouring[1].
- Product or use
- Condiment
Material uses
The aromatic roots are used in pot-pourri and perfumes[1][3]. The essential oil from the roots is used in perfumery[3]. The plant has deep-rooted and far-ranging roots that make it a valuable plant for controlling soil erosion in cultivated fields. It is often planted along the contour lines for this purpose.
- Product or use
- Essential
- Product or use
- Pot-pourri
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- Tropics.
- Habitat
- Open dry places at elevations up to 1000 metres in Nepal[3].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
Seed -
Cultivation
This species cannot tolerate hard frosts. In areas that experience much frost, it is better to divide up the plant is the autumn, potting up the divisions and over-wintering them in a greenhouse before planting them back outdoors in late spring[1]. Vetiveria grass is a fast-growing grass that is non-invasive, very deep rooting, insect and vermin proof. It is drought resistant, and also withstands inundation and has been known to tolerate occasional lows to around -9°c. It is much planted in the tropics and sub-tropics where its extensive root system makes it valuable for erosion control. 240
References
Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6