Vetiver

Intermediate 🍳 Food / Culinary

Definition

A perennial tropical grass with an extensive root system, prized for its aromatic essential oil which has an earthy, smoky scent. Vetiver is widely used in perfumery, cosmetics, and traditional medicine, and the roots are also used to prevent soil erosion.

Example Usage

The luxury fragrance featured vetiver as its base note, giving the perfume a warm, grounding quality.

Origin

From Tamil 'वेटिवēr' and Sanskrit 'वटिव' (vetivēru), reflecting the plant's South Asian origins.

Fun Fact

Vetiver roots can extend up to 15 feet deep, making it an excellent plant for soil stabilization and preventing coastal erosion in developing countries.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)