The roots of this tall clumping grass are the source of the fragrant Vetiver oil used for "fixing" other more volatile oils for perfuming soaps, making perfumes, flavoring sherbets and sweets(Khus strup). In Ayurvedic medicine they are also used to treat vomiting, urethritis, kidney stones, heart burn, general debility, and many other conditions. The sweet-scented grass-like leaves are used in the making of mats and fans in India. The mats are sprinkled with water to cool rooms and repel bugs. They are also used in thatching and for making paper pulp. The oil is repellent to flies and cockroaches, among other insects, and the plant is widely planted around the world for erosion control as the roots can go down ten feet. Native to India - reputedly hardy to British Columbia. For more information on this amazing plant go to http://www.vetiver.org/.