A tall coarse grass with a strong lemon taste; used for cooking, tea, or potpourri. It is common to the cuisines of Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Medicinally a tea from the leaves has been used to treat fevers, colds, and upset stomachs. The base of the stalks are sliced or chopped and added to soups, sauces, and stir-fries. Makes a good tub plant in temperate climates; easy and fast-growing, the clumps can be divided after only a couple months.