The plant family of the grasses, the Gramineae, also called the Poaceae, is one of the most extensive plant families in the world. This family consists of more than 500 genera with over 5000 species. To this family belongs a group of aromatic tropical grasses of the genus Cymbopogon, which comprises about 40 species. Some of the Cymbopogon species are imporant for the production of essential oils. The most important essential oils isolated from the Cymbopogon species are:
Citronella oils from Cymbopogon nardus (L,) Rendle and from Cyrnbopogon winterianus Jowitt.
Lemongrass oil from Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf, or Cymbopogon flexosus Stapf.
Palmarosa oil from Cymbopogon martinii (Roxb,) Stapf, var. motia or Cymbopogon martinii (Roxb, ) Wats, var. martinii .
Jamrosa oil from the hybrid Cymbopogon nardus var confertiflorus x Cymbopogon jwarancusa.
Gingergrass oil from Cymbopogon martinii Stapf., var. sofia
Essential oils isolated from some other Cymbopogon species are also of scientific interest.