Hierochloe odorata

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==

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==

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 ==

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. ==Propagation==

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==

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. Indigenous traditions (North America) 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. ==References==