java citronella

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• cymbopogon grass

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and order Poales, it is a member of the family Poaceae. Specifically, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Cymbopogon.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several key regions in Asia. Within China, it can be found throughout the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan areas. Its distribution also extends significantly into the Indian Subcontinent. Specifically, the species is documented to grow in India. Additionally, it is found naturally within the island nation of Sri Lanka.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cymbopogon winterianus is characterized by its specific preference for high-altitude environments, typically occupying montane ecosystems. It thrives within a distinct vertical distribution, specifically situated in the mid-to-high montane zones where environmental conditions are stabilized by altitude. The species is found within an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 1500 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 2000 m AMSL. This specific altitudinal niche suggests an adaptation to the cooler temperatures, increased moisture availability, and particular soil compositions found in these highland regions, which play a critical role in its growth patterns and natural distribution.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1500 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Cymbopogon winterianus is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its presence in its natural habitat over multiple growing seasons. It adopts a hemicryptophyte life form, meaning its perennating buds are located at the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or organic matter during unfavorable conditions. This plant maintains an evergreen deciduousness, allowing it to retain its foliage and continue physiological processes throughout much of its life cycle without the seasonal loss of leaves typical of deciduous species.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cymbopogon winterianus is characterized by its graminoid growth form, functioning as a non-woody herb. This plant is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, lacking any aquatic or epiphytic tendencies, and grows as an independent organism without parasitic associations. It is a self-supporting species, meaning it does not exhibit climbing or vining behaviors. In terms of stature, the plant reaches an average height of approximately 2 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

graminoid

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cymbopogon winterianus is characterized by a highly efficient carbon fixation mechanism and a specific nutrient acquisition profile. The plant utilizes the C4 photosynthetic pathway, a specialized metabolic adaptation that allows for enhanced CO2 concentration within bundle sheath cells, thereby minimizing photorespiration and optimizing water-use efficiency in high-temperature and high-light environments. In terms of nutrient cycling and symbiotic associations, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the biological machinery to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms and instead relies on the uptake of nitrogenous compounds available within the soil substrate.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C4

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cymbopogon winterianus has 2 reported plant parts identified across 4 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
2. Bioinformatics and biology insights

Root

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Bioinformatics and biology insights

Chemicals

Cymbopogon winterianus has 48 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CITRONELLAL, Citronellol, GERANIOL, Terpenes, 2-HEXEN-1-OL.

CITRONELLAL

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Phytochemical analysis : PCA
4. Scientific reports
5. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

Citronellol

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Phytochemical analysis : PCA
4. Basic & clinical pharmacology & toxicology

GERANIOL

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

Terpenes

1. FEBS open bio
2. Scientific reports

2-HEXEN-1-OL

1. Dr. Duke

2-Hexen-1-al

1. Dr. Duke

ALPHA-PINENE

1. Dr. Duke

Antioxidant

1. Journal of food science and technology

BETA-ELEMENE

1. Dr. Duke

Bisabolene

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Cymbopogon winterianus has 165 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Antiviral, ACE-Inhibitor, Acaricide.

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Scientific reports

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of food science and technology

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke
2. Scientific reports

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acaricide

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Anesthetic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Cymbopogon winterianus has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Gram-positive bacteria, antihypertensive, antiviral.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations