Vetiver Grass A Thin Green Line Against Erosion (1993) / Chapter Skim
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5 The Plant
5 The Plant
Pages 71-83
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From page 71... ...
The generic name comes from "vetiver," a Tamil word meaning "root that is dug up." The specific name zizanioides (sometimes misspelled zizanoides) was given first by the great Swedish taxonomist Carolus Linnaeus in 1771.
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From page 72... ...
· Leaves. The South India type apparently possesses wider leaves (1.1 cm vs O.7 cm, onaverage)
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From page 73... ...
· Year-round performance. Although vetiver goes dormant during winter months or dry seasons, its stems and leaves stay stiff and firmly attached to the crown.
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From page 74... ...
at 74 ..
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From page 75... ...
The clumps do not readily die out in the center. Unlike most other clump grasses, even old vetiver plants seldom have empty middles.6 Crown The crown of the plant is generally a few centimeters below the surface of the ground.
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From page 76... ...
Moreover, the roots fall away at a steep angle, and this conical form perhaps explains why vetiver appears not to affect nearby crops.
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From page 77... ...
sterility ranged from 2 percent to 100 percent. Some, notably those of South Indian origin, could be maintained only by vegetative methods because they produced no seeds under natural pollination or under hand pollination, despite high pollen fertility.
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From page 78... ...
Annual consumption is estimated to be: United States France Switzerland United Kingdom Japan Germany Netherlands Other 100 tons 50 tons 30 tons 2~25 tons 10 tons 6 tons 5 tons 30 40 tons It seems unlikely that demand will increase beyond these figures, even to match population growth. In recent decades, the international perfumery industry has generally decreased its use in new products.
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From page 79... ...
. However, Gueric Boucard indicates that this is no problem: "I just cut them off near the ground each fall," he says, "and they have survived temperatures down to -7°C winter after winter, and one cold snap below -12°C for several hours."
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From page 80... ...
In experiments, vetiver root has protected clothes from moths, heads from lice, and bedding from bedbugs. The oil repels flies and cockroaches as well and may make a useful ingredient in insect repellents.
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From page 81... ...
In at least one location in India, grubs of a beetle (Phyllophaga serrata) have been found infesting vetiver roots.'2 Perhaps the most serious pest threat comes from stem borers (Chilo spp.~.
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From page 82... ...
Researchers in South Africa are having success growing vetiver "eyes" (intercalary buds on surface of crown) in seedling dishes.'6 · Culms.
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From page 83... ...
They can be planted with bullock, trowel, or dibbling stick. In principle, at least, the techniques and machines developed for planting tree or vegetable seedlings could also be employed.
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