Citronella

Also known as lemongrass and sereh. A tropical perennial grass (Cymbopogon nardus), this herb with long, thin gray-green leaves and a scallionlike base is widely used in southeast Asian cuisine, especially in recipes from Thailand. The pale white inner stalks have a strong lemon flavor. The peel contains citral, an essential oil that gives citronella a sour-lemon flavor and fragrance. It is used as a flavoring, in salads, and as an insect repellant. Citronella grows abundantly in the tropical parts of Asia.