Lemon Grass / Custe (Note: User image depicts a Cucurbitaceae fruit, but assessing as requested for grass context)
Cymbopogon citratus · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Andropogoneae
Grass Category
Ornamental and Herb/Medicinal Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common West Indian Lemongrass
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11, grown as an annual in colder zones, high heat tolerance, low cold tolerance
About This Grass
Forms large, dense clumps of tall, coarse, blue-green leaves with a citrus scent, reaching heights of 3 to 6 feet
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades, greater than 4mm wide, flat to folded, pointed tips, blue-green color, rolled vernation, membranous ligule, no auricles
Root System
Deep fibrous root system, non-invasive, moderate establishment speed, forms dense crowns
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to tropical Asia, widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with a dense growth pattern
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun, high water needs during growing season, moderate drought tolerance once established, prefers well-drained fertile soil with a neutral pH
Mowing & Maintenance
Not typically mown as a lawn grass; harvested or pruned back annually to a few inches above the ground, medium-high maintenance
Special Characteristics
Strong lemon scent used as an insect repellent, excellent container plant, low wear tolerance, high resistance to major turf diseases
Ecological Information
Introduced in many non-native regions, provides shelter for beneficial insects, natural pest repellent properties, not invasive
Notes
This is what was on the vine