Sweet Grass  Hierochloe odorata
       Sweet Grass


. Name:Hierochloe, from the Greek, hieros, "sacred", and
chloe, "grass" odorata, from the Latin, "sweet smelling, fragrant;
ill smelling" Commmon Name, from the distinctive sweet scent
Other common names include: Zebrovka ("the place where bison
graze"), Buffalo Grass, Holy Grass, Vanilla Grass, Feur Moire
(Gaelic)

Taxonomy:Kingdom Plantae, the Plants
Division Magnoliophyta, the Angiosperms (flowering plants)
Class Liliopsida, the Monocotyledons
Subclass Commelinidae
Order Cyperales
Family Poaceae, the Bluegrasses
Genus Hierochloe,
Taxonomic Serial Number: 40854

Identification:Scent is distinctive. Identification difficult
before scent develops.For additional detail, check out Redwood City
Seed.

Description:A native, rhizomatous perennial grass.

Leaves few and short; leaves of sterile shoots 4"-12" long.
Stems hollow, erect, 8"-24" tall; arising from among the dead
foliage of the previous year. Rhizomes slender and creeping; rhizomes
and roots forming dense mat beneath the soil surface. Flower
structure an open pyramidal panicle 1¾"-4¾" long, with slender
branches. Spikelets three-flowered. Fruit a caryopsis.

Distribution:Circumboreal; common above 40º north latitude in
Asia,Europe, and North America. In North America, from Newfoundland
to Alaska, south to New Jersey and west to Colorado, New Mexico,
Arizona, and northern California.

Habitat:Wet meadows, low prairies, edges of sloughs and marshes,
bogs, shaded streambanks, lakeshores, and cool mountain canyons.
Usually found in mid-successional communities. It can withstand some
soil disturbance. Usually grows among other grasses or shrubs; seldom
in pure stands.

Fire:Stems and leaves probably killed by fire during the growing
season. Creeping rhizomes often fairly deep; may sprout after aerial
portions are burned. Stems rise from dead foliage of the preceding
year. This foliage may protect basal buds from fire damage in the
spring when moisture content of dead foliage is high. But in fall, it
is more likely that the buds would be damaged by heat produced when
the dried foliage burns. Member of some meadow communities succeeded
by forest in the absence of disturbance. Fire exclusion from these
communities may favor other species over Sweet Grass.

Associates:Trees: Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea), Red Maple (Acer
rubrum), Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera), Tamarack (Larix laricina),
White Spruce (Picea glauca), Black Spruce (Picea mariana), Jack Pine
(Pinus banksiana), Red Pine (Pinus resinosa), White Pine (Pinus
strobus),Balsam Poplar (Populus balsamifera), Quaking Aspen (Populus
tremuloides), Northern Pin Oak (Quercus ellipsoides)
Shrubs: Herbs: Ground Covers: Wildlife:

History:Used for religious purposes both North America and
Europe. Some Native American peoples used it as incense for
purification of places and things. Strewn before church doors on
saints' days in northern Europe. Dried and braided to preserve scent.
Used in France to flavor candy, tobacco, soft drinks, and perfumes.
Brewed as a tea, was used for coughs and sore throats, chapping and
windburn, and as an eyewash. Used by Native Americans for basket
making.

Uses:Dried foliage is fragrant due to coumarin content; used as
incense and in making perfume. Not sufficiently dense in growth for
use as turf grass.

Reproduction:Spreads vigorously by creeping rhizomes which are
often fairly deep. Also reproduces by seed but is largely infertile,
producing relatively few seedheads, containing few seeds. In spring,
creeping rhizomes produce inconspicuous fruiting stems with       
leaves that are few and short. Somewhat later, long leaves
develop from separate sterile basal off-shoots. Stems shrivel soon
after flowering.

Propagation:Division most successful method.

Cultivation:Prefers moist, sunny site. A sod forming grass; spreads
and can become invasive. Encirling the planting with a root barrier
should be considered if unrestrained growth is undesireable. If
harvesting, fertilize regularly to restore soil fertility.

Bright Blessings and good health
Rev. Dr. Waltz, ND, DD, CNC
www.NaturalArk.com
Home of The Herbal Encyclopedia - the source for healing information
The Natural Wellness Center - quality natural health care
Waltz's Ark - certified organic produce and livestock - Home of
AQHA performance sensation Basic San Tango and champion Caprines
Advice and suggestions void where prohibited by law