Palmarosa is a perennial, sweet scented grass, 1.5-2.5 m in height that grows in the area northeast of Bombay and across the Himalayan Mountains to Nepal and to a lesser extent, Pakistan. It has long slender stems and terminal flowering tops. The grassy leaf from which the essential oil is derived is extremely fragrant and is extensively used in traditional medicines like Ayurveda for its therapeutic properties. Palmarosa is a member of the Lemongrass family, and was known as Indian Geranium Oil. It is still used in blends to extend the more expensive Rose oils.
