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Hierochloe odorata
Hierochloe odorata (L.) P. Beauv.
Sweetgrass, Vanilla Grass, Sweet Grass
Poaceae (Grass Family)
Synonym(s): Anthoxanthum nitens, Hierochloe fragrans, Hierochloe nashii, Hierochloe odorata var. fragrans, Holcus odoratus, Savastana nashii, Savastana odorata, Torresia odorata
USDA Symbol: HIOD
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N), GL (N), SPM (N)
Vanilla Grass or Sweet Grass is an erect, slender, sweet-smelling grass, usually 12-20 in. tall., with small seedheads bearing broad, bronze-colored spikelets. The grass spreads by creeping rhizomes which send up few to several leafy shoots. This is a perennial.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Linear
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Fruit Type: Caryopsis
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall, often shorter.
Leaf: Gray-Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Jun
Distribution
USA: CT , DE , MA , ME , NH , NY , RI , VTCanada: AB , BC , NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , SK
Native Distribution: Transcontinental Canada, s. to MD, KY, IA, SD, AZ & OR
Native Habitat: Moist meadows; swales; fresh or brackish shores
Growing Conditions
Water Use: HighLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Wet soils.
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesFragrant Flowers: yes
Fragrant Foliage: yes
Attracts: Birds
Propagation
Commercially Avail: yesFind Seed or Plants
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:North American Native Plant Society - Etobicoke, ON
Bibliography
Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, SallySearch More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Additional resources
USDA: Find Hierochloe odorata in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Hierochloe odorata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Hierochloe odorata
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-01-25Research By: TWC Staff