Distilled from roots of vetiver grass Vetiveria zizanioides Stapf., (Andropogon muricatus Retz., Anatherum zizanioides (L.) Hitch. & Chase, Gramineae), grown chiefly in Java, India, Reunion Island and Haiti. The constituents of vetiver oil vary according to the place of origin. Java and Reunion vetiver oils may contain 8-35% (usually 15-27%) sesquiterpene ketones of which α- and β-vetivones, q.v. have been isolated. The content of vetivenols (vetiverols, vetiver alcohols) varies from 45 to 65%. Other isolated components are vetivenyl vetivenate, vetivenic acid (C15H22O2), palmitic acid, benzoic acid, and vetivene (C15H24). Major constituents of Indian vetiver oil are khusol, khusitol, khusinol. Review of chemical studies: Anh, Fetizon, Am. Perfum. Cosmet. 80, 40 (1965). Biogenetically significant components: Kaiser, Naegeli, Tetrahedron Lett. 1972, 2009; Paknikar et al., ibid. 1975, 2973. Isoln and synthesis of zizanal and epizizanal, two insect repellent constituents, from Javanese vetiver oil: S. C. Jain et al., Tetrahedron Lett. 23, 4639 (1982).