Morphology
The vetiver grass has a gregarious habit and grows in bunches. Shoots growing from the underground crown make the plant frost- and fire-resistant, and allow it to survive heavy grazing pressure. The leaves can become up to 120–150 cm long and 0.8 cm wide. The panicles are 15-30 centimeters long and have whorled, 2.5-5.0 centimeters long branches. The spikelets are in pairs, and there are three stamens.
The plant stems are erect and stiff. They can persist deep water flow. Under clear water, the plant can survive up to two months.
The root system of vetiver is finely structured and very strong. It can grow 3–4 m deep within the first year. Vetiver has no stolons nor rhizomes. Because of all these characteristics, the vetiver plant is highly drought-tolerant and can help to protect soil against sheet erosion. In case of sediment deposition, new roots can grow out of buried nodes.
Read more about this topic: Chrysopogon Zizanioides
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