Cymbopogon martinii

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Cymbopogon martinii
• ginger grass
• motia grass
• rosha grass
• rusa grass
• sofia grass

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Gymnanthelia martini
• Andropogon pachnodes
• Andropogon schoenanthus var. martini
• Cymbopogon martini var. sofia
• Andropogon martini
• Cymbopogon motia
• Cymbopogon pachnodes

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cymbopogon martini is characterized by its adaptability to diverse environmental conditions, specifically showing a propensity for colonization in anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica). This plant thrives in disturbed landscapes and human-modified habitats, often appearing in settings where natural vegetation has been altered by human activity. Regarding its vertical distribution, the species occupies a broad altitudinal gradient, reaching an elevational range that extends up to a maximum of 1801 m AMSL (meters above sea level). This ability to persist in anthropized environments and inhabit varying elevations suggests a resilient ecological profile capable of managing different microclimatic shifts across its range.

Elevational range max:

1801 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Life history

The life history of Cymbopogon martini is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche through multiple growing seasons. As a hemicryptophyte, its perennating buds are located at the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or the upper layers of the earth, which allows it to persist through unfavorable environmental conditions. This species maintains an evergreen habit, retaining its foliage throughout the year to facilitate continuous photosynthetic activity.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cymbopogon martini is characterized by a graminoid growth form, functioning as a non-woody herb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not exhibit climbing habits, such as being a liana or vine, and it grows as an independent organism rather than acting as a parasite. The plant reaches a mean height of approximately 3 m and is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, lacking any aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic tendencies.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

graminoid

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cymbopogon martini is characterized by a highly efficient metabolic framework designed for survival in warm, competitive environments. It utilizes a C4 photosynthetic pathway, which allows the plant to concentrate carbon dioxide around the enzyme Rubisco, thereby minimizing photorespiration and maximizing water-use efficiency during carbon fixation. This specialized pathway enables the plant to maintain high rates of photosynthesis even under intense light intensities and elevated temperatures. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, and instead relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the surrounding soil to meet its nutritional requirements for growth and secondary metabolite production.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C4

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cymbopogon martini is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering cycle that dictates its reproductive availability. The flowering process typically commences in August, marking the beginning of its reproductive phase. This period of anthesis continues through the latter part of the year, eventually reaching its conclusion in December. Because the timing can be subject to environmental fluctuations, the exact window of flowering may be considered variable within this broader seasonal range.

Flowering time :

Aug

Flowering time :

Dec

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cymbopogon martini has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Root

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Cymbopogon martini has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (E)-Carveol, (Z)-p-Mentha-2,8-dien-1-ol, (e)-p-mentha-2,8-dien-1-ol, GERANIOL, LIMONENE.

(E)-Carveol

1. Inflammopharmacology

(Z)-p-Mentha-2,8-dien-1-ol

1. Inflammopharmacology

(e)-p-mentha-2,8-dien-1-ol

1. Inflammopharmacology

GERANIOL

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

LIMONENE

1. Inflammopharmacology

Activities

Cymbopogon martini has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antifungal, Antibacterial.

Antifungal

1. IET nanobiotechnology
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Antibacterial

1. IET nanobiotechnology

Conditions

Cymbopogon martini has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Aspergillus fumigatus.

Aspergillus fumigatus

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Preparations

Cymbopogon martini has 4 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Essential oils, essential oils, hydro-distilled essential oil, oils.

Essential oils

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Essential oils

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Hydro-distilled essential oil

1. Inflammopharmacology

Oils

1. IET nanobiotechnology