Cymbopogon martini
Cymbopogon martinii
Cymbopogon martini, commonly known as Palmarosa, is a fragrant perennial grass cherished in traditional medicine. Renowned for its essential oil, it possesses potent antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and soothing properties. Widely used in aromatherapy and skincare, this aromatic plant offers therapeutic benefits for relaxation, skin healing, and holistic wellness.
- Scientific name: Cymbopogon martini
- Family: Poaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Poales, it is classified under the family Poaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Cymbopogon.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Poales | WCVP |
| Family | Poaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Cymbopogon | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant is known by several different names depending on the language and region. In English and Portuguese, it is referred to as Cymboopogon martinii, while in Catalan and Dutch, it is commonly called palmarosa. In Poland, it is recognized by the name Palczatką imbrową.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| nl | Palmarosa | Wikidata |
| ca | palmarosa | Wikidata |
| en | Cymbopogon martinii | Wikidata |
| pt | Cymbopogon martinii | Wikidata |
| pl | Palczatka imbirowa | Wikidata |
| zh | 馬丁香 | Wikidata |
| ja | パルマローザ | Wikidata |
| ar | تبن الجمل | Wikidata |
| sd | دودو گاھ | Wikidata |
| ta | தைலப்புல் | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning multiple continents and climate zones. In Northern Africa, its presence is documented within the borders of Egypt. Moving toward the center of the continent, it can be found in the West-Central Tropical Africa region, specifically in the Central African Republic. Its distribution extends to the Western Indian Ocean, where it inhabits both Madagascar and the Seychelles. Finally, the species is located in East Asia, specifically within South-Central China.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Africa | Egypt | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Central African Republic | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Madagascar | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Seychelles | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Nepal | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Cymbopogon martinii, is a highly valued medicinal grass known primarily for its fragrant properties. While the roots are part of the plant's structural foundation, the most significant parts for therapeutic use are the long, slender leaves. These leaves are the primary source from which various oils are extracted through distillation processes. Specifically, the plant is harvested to produce high-quality essential oils, which contain concentrated bioactive compounds. The most sought-after component is its essential oil, often referred to as citronella oil, which is widely used in aromatherapy and traditional medicine for its antimicrobial and calming effects.- Total parts
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oils | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| essential oils | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| essential oil | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Cymbopogon martini has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (E)-carveol, (E)-p-mentha-2,8-dien-1-ol, (Z)-p-mentha-2,8-dien-1-ol, geraniol, limonene.
- Total chemicals
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| (E)-carveol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (E)-p-mentha-2,8-dien-1-ol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (Z)-p-mentha-2,8-dien-1-ol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| geraniol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| limonene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Cymbopogon martini has 2 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antifungal, Antibacterial.
- Total activities
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antifungal | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Cymbopogon martini has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Aspergillus fumigatus.
- Total uses
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Aspergillus fumigatus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |