Hierochloe odorata

Hierochloe odorata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
(unranked):	Commelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Poaceae
Genus:	Hierochloe
Species:	H. odorata
Binomial name
Hierochloe odorata (L.) P. Beauv.
Synonyms
Anthoxanthum nitens (Weber) Y. Schouten & Veldk.[1]

Sweet grass - Photographed in British Columbia, Canada 2007

Hierochloe odorata or Anthoxanthum nitens^[1] (commonly known as sweet grass, manna grass, Mary’s grass, or vanilla grass, and as holy grass in the UK,^[2] bison grass in Poland)^[3] is an aromatic herb native to northern Eurasia and North America. It is used in herbal medicine and in the production of distilled beverages (e.g., Żubrówka, Wisent). It owes its distinctive sweet scent to the presence of coumarin.

This variety of grass is different from the species commonly known as buffalo grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) in Australia.

Characteristics

Hierochloe odorata is a very hardy perennial, able to grow to the Arctic Circle. Its leaves do not have rigid stems, so only grow to about 20 cm (7.9 in) in height, and then the leaves grow outward horizontally to 100 cm (39 in) long or more, by late summer. The base of the leaf, just below the soil surface, is broad and white, without hairs; the underside of the leaf is shiny, without hairs. In the wild, the bases of the leaves are frequently purple-red colored, and this indicates a phosphorus-deficient soil.^[4]

There are several strains of sweetgrass — a regular strain that can be harvested once or twice a year, and a naturally occurring polyploid strain, which is much faster growing and can be harvested three to five times a year.^[4]

Two chemicals found in sweetgrass, phytol and coumarin, repel mosquitoes.^[5]

Taxonomy

The name Hierochloe odorata is from the Greek, literally "holy fragrant grass". Some authors include Hierochloe in Anthoxanthum; in this case this species is given the epithet nitens to avoid confusion with a different species, Anthoxanthum odoratum, sweet vernal grass.^[1]

Propagation

Propagation is easiest by cutting out plugs from established plants. Grown in sun or partial shade, they do not like drought. Seeds are usually not viable, or if they are, take two to three years to develop a robust root system.

Distribution

Blackfoot man holding sweetgrass braid

In North America Hierochloe odorata occurs in southern Canada, northern Great Plains/Rocky Mountains and northwest of U.S., and New England.^[6] In continental Europe it occurs north from Switzerland. There is only one site in Ireland, and it is recorded in four counties of Scotland.

Uses

The plant is harvested by cutting grass in early to late summer at the desired length. Hierochloe odorata harvested after the first frost has little or no scent and is less desirable for basketry. Basketweavers sun-dry cut sweet grass until it is dry and brittle. The brittle form of sweet grass must be soaked in warm water until it becomes pliable. The pliable grass is typically braided into thick threads and then redried for use.

European traditions

Holy grass was strewn before church doors on saints' days in northern Europe, presumably because of the sweet smell that arose when it was trodden on. It was used in France to flavor candy, tobacco, soft drinks, and perfumes. In Europe, the species Hierochloe alpina is frequently substituted or used interchangeably. In Russia, it was used to flavor tea. It is still used in flavored vodka, the most notable example being Polish Żubrówka.

Native American traditions

Making Sweet Grass Medicine, painting by Joseph Henry Sharp

Sweet grass is widely used by North American indigenous peoples from many different Nations. Among many of the Plains Indians is considered one of the "four sacred medicines".

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hierochloe odorata.