Sweetgrass
Hierochloe odorata (or Anthoxanthum nitens)
PLANT NAME
Sweetgrass
COMMON NAMES
Holy Grass, Vanilla Grass, Seneca Grass, Seneca Sweetgrass
BOTANICAL NAME
Hierochloe odorata (or Anthoxanthum nitens)
IDENTIFICATION
A hardy perennial grass growing up to 2 feet tall. It has flat, smooth green blades with a distinct purplish base just below the soil surface. It emits a strong, sweet, vanilla-like fragrance when dried.
IDENTIFICATION IMAGE
AI ART TO BE GENERATED
PARTS TRADITIONALLY USED
Leaves (grass blades).
CULINARY USES
Occasionally used to flavor beverages or candies due to its coumarin content, but not a staple food.
TRADITIONAL USES
Deeply sacred to many Indigenous peoples of North America. Braided and burned as a smudge to purify spaces, attract positive energy, and in prayer ceremonies. Medically used as a tea for sore throats or to induce sweating.
GROWING / HARVESTING
Prefers moist to wet soils and full sun. Spreads via creeping rhizomes. Harvest by carefully cutting the grass blades above the root crown in mid-to-late summer.
SAFETY / CAUTION
Contains coumarin, which can act as a blood thinner and cause liver damage in very high amounts if ingested. Mostly safe for its primary use as an aromatic smudge. Always consult your doctor before using internally.
RELATED PLANTS
Other coumarin-containing plants like Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum).