Subject classification: Citronella is a perennial herb of Gramineae and Citronella, and its colored leaves are perennial herbs of Zingiberaceae and Polygonatum.

Appearance and morphology: Citronella stems are triangular, with narrow and linear leaves, hairless, usually without tongue, while colored leaf stems are cylindrical, with oblong or oval leaves and purple lower parts.

Flower morphology: the inflorescence of citronella is loose or slightly dense, the colorful inflorescence is panicle, and there are elliptic or linear bracts at the base of branches.

Taste: Citronella has lemon fragrance, and colored leaves have ginger fragrance.

To sum up, citronella and colored leaves are obviously different in subject classification, appearance, flower shape and taste.