Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle
Dublin Core
Title
Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle
Subject
Taxonomy
Phylum : Tracheophyta
Class : Liliopsida
Order : Poales
Family : Poaceae
Genus : Cymbopogon Spreng.
Species : Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle
Common Name
Blue citronella grass, ceylon citronella, citronella, citronella grass, citronella oil grass, false citronella, mana grass, nard grass, new citronella grass (English); sĕreh wangi, serai wangi (Malay); ya xiang mao (Chinese); kamachipillu (Tamil)
Phylum : Tracheophyta
Class : Liliopsida
Order : Poales
Family : Poaceae
Genus : Cymbopogon Spreng.
Species : Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle
Common Name
Blue citronella grass, ceylon citronella, citronella, citronella grass, citronella oil grass, false citronella, mana grass, nard grass, new citronella grass (English); sĕreh wangi, serai wangi (Malay); ya xiang mao (Chinese); kamachipillu (Tamil)
Description
Characteristics
Morphology
The growth habit of the ‘serai wangi’ is similar to that of ‘serai makan’ (Cymbopogon citratus). The stem is, however, whitish and has bigger canopy and more vigorous growth. The plant can grow to height of 1.0-1.5 m. The leaves are bigger (70-80 cm long and 2-5 cm wide). The leaves are also very dense, greenish and have very rough surface. The aroma produced from the leaves is very much stronger as compared to ‘serai makan’. ‘Serai wangi’ seldom are flowers.
Plant part used
Leaves
Traditional Uses
Medicinal used
List of Country
Cymbopogon nardus or ‘serai wangi’ is native to South India or Sri Lanka. The plant, however, found growing wild in most tropical Asian countries, America and Africa.
Red List Category
This taxon has not yet been assessed.
The colour is brownish-green while the odour is aromatic.
Morphology
The growth habit of the ‘serai wangi’ is similar to that of ‘serai makan’ (Cymbopogon citratus). The stem is, however, whitish and has bigger canopy and more vigorous growth. The plant can grow to height of 1.0-1.5 m. The leaves are bigger (70-80 cm long and 2-5 cm wide). The leaves are also very dense, greenish and have very rough surface. The aroma produced from the leaves is very much stronger as compared to ‘serai makan’. ‘Serai wangi’ seldom are flowers.
Plant part used
Leaves
Traditional Uses
- Traditionally, the leaf is used in the preparation of herbal bath formulations as afterbirth treatment for woman.
- Volatile oil of C. nardus is traditionally used in a small dose to comfort the stomach and aid digestion. It is also used to stimulate or increase menstrual flow. This plant is also traditionally used as an infusion or decoction to maintain general health
- It is also used in the production of massage oils to ease fatigue, abdominal pain, flatulence, nausea and vomiting.
- ‘Serai wangi’ is also used for culinary purposes such as in tea and as flavouring.
Medicinal used
- Properties including antimicrobial activity, cytotoxicity activity, antiviral activity and antitrypanosomal activity.
- Commercially, it is used in the production of citronella oil, which is used in soaps, as a mosquito repellent in insect sprays and candles, and in the manufacturing of the aromatherapy products.
- The geraniol and citronellol, which are the principal component of citronella oil, have antiseptic properties, and normally used in the manufacturing of household disinfectants and soaps.
List of Country
Cymbopogon nardus or ‘serai wangi’ is native to South India or Sri Lanka. The plant, however, found growing wild in most tropical Asian countries, America and Africa.
Red List Category
This taxon has not yet been assessed.
Source
- https://globinmed.com/medicinal_herbs/cymbopogon-nardus-l-rendle-2/
- https://globinmed.com/conservation/serai-wangi-79354/
- https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/3/8/3891
- https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=41615#null
Publisher
Amirah Syahmina binti Alwi
Contributor
Amirah Syahmina binti Alwi
Language
English
Collection
Citation
“Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle,” BIDARA, accessed February 4, 2026, https://bidara.uthm.edu.my/items/show/971.