Palmarosa essential oil (Cymbopogon martinii var martinii) is obtained by steam distilling this sweet-scented perennial grass found growing wild in specific pockets of India. Palmarosa belongs to the Poaceae (Gramineae) plant family and is very similar in appearance to both Lemongrass and Citronella. The essential oil obtained from the grass is rich in geraniol.

The oil of Palmarosa is used in perfumery, particularly for flavouring tobacco and for blending of cosmetic compositions owing to the lasting rose note it imparts.
It also serves as a source of a very high grade geraniol which is a valued input to make a number of aroma chemicals.