Perennial, erect or ascending, warm season grass, 30 to 150cm. Nonetheless we observe this taxon most frequently at 30 to 100cm in height.

Cymbopogon refractus is frequently requested for rehabilitation work. It has little value as fodder. In our experience it will only be eaten under heavy grazing. We observe the taxa as a common but minor component of many native grassland ecologies. The relatively small leaf blades of this Cymbopogon species emit a notable lemon fragrance when crushed. The inflorescences exhibit a striking resemblance to the barbed wire used for fencing by Australian cattlemen.

The genus Cymbopogon, also includes several species, commonly referred to as Citronella Grass, Lemongrass and East Indian Grass which are cultivated for varying reasons, sometimes as culinary herbs, medicinal herbs, for use as insecticides, preservatives, disinfectants and in perfumes.

Simon, B.K. & Alfonso, Y. 2011. Ausgrass2, http://ausgrass.myspecies.info/ [Accessed on Nov 28, 2019].

http://ausgrass2.myspecies.info/content/cymbopogon-refractus

Stanley, T.D. & Ross, E.M. (1989). Flora of South Eastern Queensland, Vol. 3, Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.

https://bie.ala.org.au/species/http://id.biodiversity.org.au/node/apni/2911780#tab_classification