Common Name: Silky Oil Grass

General Information

Cymbopogon bombycinus is an evergreen, clump-forming grass with erect culms 30 - 100cm tall.
The plant is harvested from the wild for its essential oil.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Australia - Queensland, Northern Territory, northern South Australia, Western Australia

Habitat

Found in various soil types, even drifting sands.

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.70 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Species in this genus generally grow best in a sunny position in a moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. Many of them are found in dry soils in the wild[]. The plant hasdeeply-penetrating, wiry roots and, once established is very drought tolerant.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

An extract of the leaves is used in commercial cosmetic preparations as an antioxidant and skin conditioner[].

Propagation

Seed - surface sow or only just cover, sowing the seeds in a nursery seedbed. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots at the 3 - 4 leaf stage and grow on until large enough to plant out. Seed can also be sown in situ, but this often results in heavy weed infestation[].
Division of established clumps. This is best done annually or they can become too crowded and suffer. The offshoots of this species often fail to establish[].

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.

Name:

Email(Private):

Message:

Captcha: How many suns are in our solar system