For the folk band, see Vetiver . Vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides) is a perennial grass of the Poaceae native to India. The name vetiver is native to the Tamil language. Old Tamil literature mentions the usage of vetiver for medical purposes.Vetiver can grow up to 1.5 meters high and form clumps as wide. The stems are tall and the leaves are long, thin and rather rigid. The flowers are brownish purple. Unlike most grasses which form horizontally spreading mat-like root systems, vetiver's roots grow downward up to 2-4 meters in depth. Vetiver is closely related to other fragrant grasses such as Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon citratus), citronella (Cymbopogon nardus, C. winterianus) and Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii).Though it originates in India, Vetiver is widely cultivated in the tropical regions of the world. The world's major producers include Haiti, India, Java, and Réunion.