Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash.: A review of magic grass

Abstract

North Bihar floodplains witness lush growth of Vetiveria [Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash. syn. Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty], locally identified as “Kataraghas” of the family Poaceae. The plant has an important role in addressing current environmental concern of human being all across the globe, specially in tropical and subtropical countries. This has attracted worldwide attention and several conferences on international basis have already been organized on its properties and uses. The morphological & physiological characteristics of Vetiveria grass make it a unique bioengineering tool for utilization in various ways including the livelihood means. Vetiveria has multidirectional environmental application such as conservation and detoxification of degraded soil and water, check in erosion of soil during flood and landslide disaster, mitigation etc. besides having its perpetual need in performing some rituals of Indian culture.