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= Hierochloe_odorata =
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Introduction
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{{Speciesbox
|image = Hierochloe odorata (USDA).jpg
|status = G5
|status_system = TNC
|status_ref =
|genus = Hierochloe
|species = odorata
|authority = (L.) P. Beauv.
|synonyms = * 'Anthoxanthum nitens' (Weber) Y. Schouten & Veldk.
* 'Hierochloe arctica' J.Presl
}}
'Hierochloe odorata' or 'Anthoxanthum nitens' (commonly known as sweet
grass, manna grass, Mary's grass or vanilla grass, and as holy grass
in the UK, bison grass e.g. by Polish vodka producers) is an aromatic
herb native to northern Eurasia and North America. It is considered
sacred by many Indigenous peoples in Canada and the United States. It
is used as a smudge 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 distinct from the species commonly known as
buffalo grass in Australia and the United States ('Stenotaphrum
secundatum' and 'Bouteloua dactyloides', respectively).
Characteristics
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'Hierochloe odorata' is a very hardy perennial, able to grow in the
Arctic Circle. Its leaves do not have rigid stems, so only grow to
about in height, and then the leaves grow outward horizontally to
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 and glabrous. In the wild, the bases of the leaves are
frequently purple-red colored, and this indicates a
phosphorus-deficient soil.
Two chemicals found in sweetgrass, phytol and coumarin, repel
mosquitoes.
Taxonomy
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The name 'Hierochloe odorata' is from the Greek and Latin.
'Hierochloe' means "holy grass" and 'odorata' means "fragrant". 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.
Distribution
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In North America 'Hierochloe odorata' occurs in southern Canada,
northern Great Plains/Rocky Mountains and northwest of U.S., and New
England. In continental Europe it occurs north from Switzerland. There
is only one site in Ireland, and it is recorded in four counties of
Scotland and one in north-eastern England.
Ecology
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'Hierochloe odorata' is a marshland species occupying the middle range
of habitat between dune and salt marsh ecosystems. The species shows
little preference for a soil's nutrient or water content, but is
rigidly restricted by pH and salinity. The species is consistently
associated with 'Juncus balticus' in marshlands, and 'Ammophila
breviligulata' in dune ecosystems. The species reaches peak abundance
on the edge of these competing species ranges. The associated plants
are thought to be major inhibitors of growth. The species is only
documented to be browsed by the American pika ('Ochotona princeps)'
and European bison. Other native herbivores, such as white-tailed
deer, elk or American bison may graze on it. The chemical coumarin,
which creates the species signature vanilla smell, has a bitter taste
that deters grazers.
Propagation
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Propagation is easiest by cutting out plugs from established plants.
These plugs should have at least one active rhizome, and grow rapidly
under greenhouse care. When establishing stands in the wild,
'Hierochloe odorata' seeds require a period of cold temperatures
before they germinate, and a germinate at a rate of 25-50%.
'Hierochloe odorata' grows best in soil with few competing weeds,
loose texture and moistened to the point of surface puddling.
Seedlings require constant moisture until they sprout, around 10 to 14
days later.
Uses
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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
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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, such as the
Polish Żubrówka.
In Finnmark, Sámi peoples have braided and dried the grass
('háissasuoidni' in Northern Sámi) to use as a perfume, either
directly or by storing it with clothes.
Indigenous traditions (North America)
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Sweetgrass is widely used by Indigenous peoples from many different
Nations in North America. The Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) tribes have
been known to use sweetgrass in a variety of ways, such as basketry,
ceremonial smudging, incense, perfume, and herbal medicine. Among many
of the Indigenous peoples of the Great Plains and Canadian Prairies it
is considered one of the "four sacred medicines". Though being used
for many purposes, its main two purposes for many tribes are to
attract good spirits and as a natural mosquito repellent. It is also
known as the "Hair of Mother Earth". Robin Wall Kimmerer writes about
sweetgrass and its sustainable harvesting in her book 'Braiding
Sweetgrass'.
License
=========
All content on Gopherpedia comes from Wikipedia, and is licensed under CC-BY-SA
License URL:
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
Original Article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hierochloe_odorata
