Lemongrass

An aromatic grass, Cymbopogon citratus, that is sometimes called citronella. The lower stem is thick and woody and used as a spice in Southeast Asian cuisines and also in Sri Lanka. To use, trim off the tough root and then either slice very thinly or crush the bottom 2 to 3 inches of the stalk, where the flavor is. Citronella oil is used as a mosquito repellent.