Sweetgrass

( Anthoxanthum nitens )

Common Name(s)

Sweetgrass
Vanilla Grass
Holy Grass

Family

Poaceae

Genus

Anthoxanthum

Full Scientific Name

Anthoxanthum nitens

Author

(Weber) Y. Schouten & Veldkamp

Native Range

ON, QC, NB, PE, NS, NL, NL

Introduced Range

Synonyms

Hierochloe fragrans
Hierochloe nashii
Hierochloe odorata
Hierochloe odorata var. fragrans
Holcus odoratus
Savastana nashii
Savastana odorata
Torresia odorata

Additional Details

Characteristics

Growth Form:
Grass/Sedge

Evergreen or Deciduous:
Deciduous

Temperature Zone:
3

Light Requirements:
Sun

Soil Texture:
Clay, Sand, Loam

Moisture Requirements:
Normal, Moist, Wet

Drought Tolerant:
No

Compaction Tolerant:
No

Salt Tolerant:
Yes

Juglone (Walnut) Tolerant:
No

Habitat Considerations

Ecozone(s):
Taiga Shield, Boreal Shield, Atlantic Maritime, Mixedwood Plains, Pacific Maritime, Hudson Plains

Natural Habitat(s):
Woodland, Forest Edge, Wet Meadow/Prairie/Field, Riparian, Swamp/Marsh, Bog/Fen

Human Habitat(s):
Pond Edge/Wetland Garden, Bird, Woodland, Prairie/Meadow

Design Considerations

Minimum Height:
30 cm

Maximum Height:
60 cm

Bloom Time:
May - Jul

Flower Colour(s):
Yellow

Showy Flowers:
Yes

Showy Fruit/Seeds:
No

Fruit/Seed Colour(s):
Black

Erosion Control:
Yes

Fragrant Flowers:
Yes

Fragrant Foliage:
Yes

Fall Colour(s):
No

Bark:
No

Poisonous to Humans:

Thorns or Prickles:
No

Attracts Wildlife:
Birds

Invasive Species:
No

Conservation Status

Plant Watch Species:
No

NatureServe Level:

IUCN Red Alert Status:

Interesting Tidbits

Interesting Tidbits:
Anthoxanthum nitens (Hierochloe odorata) is now rare in the wild in Manitoba, but is available in native nurseries. (Prairie Habitats Inc.) Used by aboriginal people for ceremonies and for making incense; grass spreads easily to form a thick mat of turf. The whole plant is fragrant (vanilla-like scent from a chemical coumarin). This chemical is also an anti-coagulant (Dodd) Sweetgrass spreads rapidly via deep creeping rhizomes and is extremely cold hardy. In the Great Lakes region, flowering begins in spring. Sweetgrass is a useful plant for wetland and riparian restoration and mitigation and spring protection/renovation. Sweetgrass has potential for conservation use for erosion control. Sweetgrass populations are declining due to harvesting for both personal and commercial use. The species is subject to over-collecting and is sensitive to grazing. Rodents and small mammals (such as pika) browse on sweetgrass. This plant has played a big part in Aboriginal Peoples lives. It is used for sacred ceremonies. It is used also for making baskets, bags and with willow, it is used to make cradleboards. For centuries, it has been used to make a wash for the body and a conditioner for the hair. A tea was made to assist in women's health problems, particularly after giving birth(halting bleeding). A tea was also used to help fight coughs, colds and infections. (USDA Plant Database)