The commodity-loaded leaf biomass of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) has long been the plantation waste requiring strategic management. To understand the usability of the biomass, C. citratus leaf blades were deconstructed by applying alkaline peroxide and subsequent milling. The process, hereby denoted APES, was pre-optimized for high-quality fibre generation from non-wood vascular bundles. Analyses of the processed biomass, however, revealed the recalcitrant structures that denied fibre liberation. Nano-pitted sheaths were the physical barrier for effective chemical impregnation. Perhydroxyl-scavenging residual citrals were among the retarding factor while geranial chromophores added to the competing reactions between alkaline peroxide and other bio-constituents. Despite being the potential consumer of alkaline peroxide, the found calcium druses were the flagship micro-elements offering surface sheen effects. Analysis revealed that the APES equivalent condition effective for fibre liberation from oil palm biomass could partially deconstruct lemongrass leaves to expose the calcium druses. An outcome which appeared as an outlier in the fibre extraction database led to an application that calls for APES analytics for strategic biomass management and circular economy.