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| ## sweetgrass {#sweetgrass .Title-Header}                             |
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| *Hierochloe odorata* (L.) Beauv.                                      |
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| Plant Symbol = HIOD                                                   |
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*Contributed By: USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center & Montana Plant
Materials Center*

###### Alternate Names

Vanilla grass, holy grass, Seneca grass, alpine sweetgrass

###### Uses

*Caution*: Coumarin, a natural anticoagulant, gives sweetgrass its
characteristic sweet smell (Lewis 1977). It has potentially toxic
properties and can cause liver injury and hemorrhages. Research has
shown coumarin and related compounds to be effective in reducing
high-protein edemas, especially lymphodema (Leung 1980).

*Ethnobotanic*: Sweetgrass was and still is used ceremonially through
burning the dried and braided grass stems for an incense or smudge. The
fragrant smoke is used for purification and to carry prayers to the
Great Spirit. *Hierochloë* literally translates from Greek as sacred
(hieros) and grass (chloë) or "holy

grass" (Hitchcock et al. 1973). Indian people call sweetgrass the "grass
that never dies." Even when it is cut, it retains its fragrance and
spirit (Youngbuck pers. comm. 1999). Today, sweetgrass is used
inter-tribally throughout the country. Sweetgrass was used ceremonially
by many tribes, including the Omaha, Ponca, Kiowa, Dakota, Lakota,
Blackfeet, Cheyenne, Pawnee, and Winnebago (Jordan 1965, Moerman 1986).
The Cheyenne, Blackfeet, and Lakota use sweetgrass in the Sun Dance
(Kindscher 1992, Hart 1976). Sweetgrass symbolizes life's growth for the
Cheyenne (*Ibid*.). ![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.2916666666666665in"
height="3.4375in"}

Sweetgrass was the most popular perfumery of the Blackfeet, who braided
it and kept it with their clothes like a sachet or carried it in small
bags (M^c^Clintock 1909). The Cheyenne mixed sweetgrass with pineapple
weed (*Matricaria matricarioides*) to use as a perfume (Hart 1976). The
Thompson Indians used an infusion of the plant as a wash for the hair
and body (Moerman 1986). The Blackfeet and the Gros Ventre used
sweetgrass as a hair rinse to achieve a lustrous shine (Hart 1976).

Blackfeet women made a tea from sweetgrass that was drunk to stop
vaginal bleeding after birth and to expel the placenta (Hellson 1974).
Women burned sweetgrass braids after their moon time to finish the
cleansing. Blackfeet men drank sweetgrass tea to treat venereal
infections. Both sexes drank a tea from this plant to treat coughs and
sore throats. Windburn and chapping were treated through an infusion of
sweetgrass stems soaked in water or a salve of sweetgrass water and
grease. The sweetgrass water was also used as an eyewash. Sweetgrass was
mixed with seeds of meadow rue (*Thalictrum occidentale*) to make a tea
to clear congested nasal passages (Kindscher 1992). The Karok of
northern California used an infusion of sweetgrass to treat women who
had suffered a miscarriage (Strike 1994). Pregnant women drank this
infusion to arrest fetus growth. The Karok also fed sweetgrass to sick
dogs.

Among the Chippewa, sweetgrass was used as an incense or smudge in
ceremony, as a spiritual medicine, and in basketweaving (Densmore 1974).
The use of incense is more characteristic of the Plains Indians than of
the Algonquian tribes (*Ibid*.). According to Densmore, "Men would
smudge before hunting to purify body and spirit. Medicine men kept
sweetgrass in the bag with their medicinal roots and herbs. Strands of
sweetgrass were made into coiled basketry by means of cotton thread.
This took the form of bowls, oval and round, and of flat mats. Birch
bark was sometimes used as the center of these baskets, with the coils
of sweetgrass being sewed around it."

Sweetgrass was used in coiled baskets, primarily in the northeast. The
Paiute used sweetgrass woven with willow bark in the hoods of
cradleboards. The Central-Northern Algonkians, Iroquoians, and Hurons
edged woodsplint basketry and vessel borders with sweetgrass (Turnbaugh
et al. 1986). Central-Northern Algonkian peoples are known for their
production of flexible weft-twined bags, and some created bundle-coiled
baskets of sweetgrass. Northern New England basketry intermixed wood
splints with twisted or braided sweetgrass in one basket (Pelletier
1982, Turnbaugh et al. 1986). In the northeast, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi,
Winnebago, Menominee, Mohawk, Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, and Abenaki
(Turnbaugh et al. 1986) made coiled baskets of sweetgrass. In the Plains
cultural area, rawhide containers enjoyed much greater popularity than
did woven or stitched basketry. The Arapaho and Mandan may have also
used sweetgrass in their coiled baskets (*Ibid*.).

*Wildlife*: Rodents and small mammals (such as pika) browse on
sweetgrass (Martin 1951).

*Restoration*: 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 on moderately
sloping, hillside seeps. Seeps are sometimes erosive because the soil
stays liquid and the saturated conditions inhibit the growth of many
plants. The sod-forming and moisture tolerant characteristics of
sweetgrass will stabilize the seep (Ivan Dozier pers. comm. 1999).

###### Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status and wetland indicator values.

**Description**

*General*: Grass Family (Poaceae). Sweetgrass is a fragrant,
rhizomatous, perennial grass that reaches a height of 7 dm. (30 in.).
The stems are hollow and hairless with open sheaths. The leaf blades are
flat at maturity, usually glabrous, 10-30 cm. (3.9-11.8 in.) long. The
sweetgrass inflorescence is an open panicle 4-9 cm. (1.6-3.5 in.) long;
the lower branches are drooping to spreading. The spikelets are
three-flowered, the two lowest florets staminate (male) and the
uppermost is perfect (both female and male). Sweetgrass is an early
blooming plant and flowers from May to July.

###### Distribution

For current distribution, please consult the Plant Profile page for this
species on the PLANTS Web site. Sweetgrass grows in wet meadows, low
prairies, and the edges of sloughs and marshes in Minnesota, North
Dakota, Montana, South Dakota, northwest Iowa, and western and central
Montana. It grows from Labrador to Alaska, south to New Jersey, Indiana,
Iowa, New Mexico, and Arizona. It is also native to Eurasia. Sweetgrass
grows below 1830 m in California and is rare in the state, occurring in
the north High Cascade Ranges and extending north (M^c^Gregor 1991).

###### Establishment

*Adaptation*: Sweetgrass is a rhizomatous perennial that is native to
cooler regions of North America and Europe. It is found in moist, cool
meadows, shaded stream banks, and cool mountain canyons (Dorn 1984).

*Caution*: Due to prolific rhizome production, it can be moderately
invasive.

In its native habitat, sweetgrass grows primarily in wetlands and
riparian areas. Due to the loss of wetland habitat throughout the United
States, it is rarely appropriate to harvest wild plants. Wild harvests
should be restricted to salvage sites with appropriate approvals or
permits. 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. Indian elders are quoted as saying "Today
sweetgrass has become scarce and is hard to find" (Hart 1976).

The following information on the propagation of sweetgrass is obtained
from the Bridger Plant Materials Center (1996 and 1999) and Susan
Winslow (1999).

*Propagation from Cuttings*: Sweetgrass can be propagated easily from
container or bare rootstock, as it produces many rhizomes. It can also
be propagated from seed. However, in nature, sweetgrass is a sporadic
seed producer, and germination rates are fairly low (25-30%), so
propagation from seed is more difficult than from cuttings or division
of plants.

Handling and care requires commitment and attention to detail to
maximize survival. Initially, the plants should remain in the pots for
an additional 2-3 weeks after you receive them, and watering must occur
every day while in the pots. This is because of the possibility of
lingering transplant shock and because the soil in the pots dries out
fairly quickly. The plants will continue to grow and thrive in the
original containers for quite a period of time while site location and
preparation efforts are finalized.

Pick the sites where sweetgrass is to be transplanted carefully, and
prepare the site properly before planting. It is advisable to keep the
immediate planting area clear of competing vegetation, which may simply
mean hand weeding around individual plants, or a mechanical means may be
required. Sweetgrass grows in wetter areas in its natural habitat, and
during the establishment period irrigation is likely to be required.
Soil should be kept very wet to moist.

For plants grown in greenhouse flats or collected from the wild, it is
best to dig up and separate plants in late fall or winter (Hartman et
al. 1990). This is the "quiescent" period that follows seed maturation,
and leaves are senescent (dried up and brown colored). When separating
plants, ensure that each "plantlet" has a rhizome or rhizome bud. Each
plant should be planted in full sun in a light, loose soil. Plants
should be planted on 3-foot centers; they will fill in and make solid
stands of sweetgrass in one to two years. Plants need to be kept moist,
and need frequent watering. Plants may need to be protected from
herbivores, such as rabbits or gophers. Dogs love sweetgrass and will
selectively eat the shoots and roll in the grass.

###### Management

After the plants have established and grown to a minimum height of 4 to
6 inches (to avoid damaging small seedlings), routinely weed and remove
unwanted vegetation. This will reduce competition for light, nutrients,
and water, and encourage vigorous plant growth and development.
Sweetgrass prefers a moist environment, so regularly water the site. The
rhizomes (underground, horizontal stems) develop early and will emerge
during the first growing season. The grass will continue to spread if
left unattended. The leaves will reach a length of approximately 12-15
inches and can be harvested once or twice a year. The foliage is very
relaxed and it will be necessary to carefully lift the leaves and cut
the stems close to the ground (leave 1 to 2 inches of plant stem). The
actual number of harvests per year will depend on climatic conditions,
seasonal timing, and the traditional environmental knowledge of the
particular indigenous group tending the grass. Plan the final harvest
(late summer in northern climes) so that there will be adequate time for
the plants to prepare for the onset of cold temperatures and winter
conditions. If this natural hardening-off process does not occur, it
will eventually have a detrimental effect on the long-term persistent
and survival of the stand. Fertilizing is not recommended in the first
year of establishment, as weeds would reap the most benefit during that
time. The use of a balanced, all-around, granular fertilizer is
recommended after the first year.

*Traditional Resource Management*: The following information on
sweetgrass was provided by Lynn Youngbuck, who is Cherokee, Chiracahua,
and Fox: 1) take only what you need, leaving the best to reproduce; 2)
speak to the plant, leave an offering of tobacco or sage before
harvesting; the plant will grow back two stems for every one cut; 3) we
humans are another strand in life; plants sustain us and should be
treated as another living being; 4) plants were taken care of by
extended family groups of women; they were taken care of and watched
each year for generations; and 5) materials harvested were shared and
traded with the whole tribe.

###### Cultivars, Improved and Selected Materials (and area of origin)

HIOD is widely available through native plant nurseries and seed
companies within its range. Contact your local Natural Resources
Conservation Service (formerly Soil Conservation Service) office for
more information. Look in the phone book under "United States
Government." The Natural Resources Conservation Service will be listed
under the subheading "Department of Agriculture."

###### Seed Propagation

[Site Preparation]{.underline}: The site should be prepared well in
advance of planting, either late in the fall or very early in the
spring. Preparation includes the following: removal of all weeds;
rototilling or hand-digging so that the soil is loose and friable;
raking or smoothing to a level, clump-free grade; packing or rolling to
firm the surface (afterwards, only light foot imprints should be visible
when walked across); and moistening the soil evenly to a depth of 2 to 3
inches (or when surface puddling is evident) with a sprinkler or
hand-held spray nozzle.

[Seeding]{.underline}: Sweetgrass is a cool-season species that requires
a period of cold temperatures before it will germinate from seed. Late
fall, late winter, or early spring is the best time to plant the
sweetgrass seed. At the time of seeding, the soil should be moistened to
a depth of 1 inch. The seed should be fully ripened (very firm when
squeezed between fingernails or when clipped with a fingernail clipper)
and free of debris. Sweetgrass seed is very small at approximately 1.1
million seeds per pound. Depending on the amount of seed available and
the plant density desired, the seed can be dribbled in rows at a rate of
up to 25 seeds per linear foot, or broadcast at 50 seeds per square
foot. This may optimally result in 6 plants per row and/or 13 plants per
square foot (seed germination tests have averaged 25-30%). Planting
depth should not exceed 0.25 to 0.5 inches. It is very important after
seed placement that the area be re-rolled or packed to ensure
satisfactory seed-to-soil contact. The tiny seed can be easily washed
away, so follow planting immediately with a light watering. Keep the
area moist until seedling emergence, in about 10-14 days. In soils
(clayey) that are prone to crusting, subsequent periodic, short-duration
watering may be necessary.

###### References

Densmore, F. 1974 (1928). *How Indians use wild plants for food
medicine, and crafts*. Dover Publications, New York, New York.

Dorn, R.D. 1984. *Vascular plants of Montana*. Mountain West Publishing.
Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Dozier, I. 1999. Personal communication. District Conservationist and
Illinois NRCS Native American Liaison.

Hart, J. 1976. *Montana native plants and early peoples*. Montana
Historical Society Press, Helena, Montana.

Hartmann, H. T., D. E. Kester, & F. T. Davies, Jr. 1990*.* *Plant
propagation principles and practices*. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs,
New Jersey. 647 pp.

Hellson, J.C. 1974. *Ethnobotany of the Blackfoot Indians.* National
Museum of Man, Mercury Series, Canadian Ethnology Service Paper No. 19.

Hitchcock, C.L. & A. Cronquist (eds.) 1973*.* *Flora of the Pacific
Northwest. An illustrated manual*. University of Washington Press,
Seattle, Washington. 730 pp.

Hutchens, A.R. *Indian herbalogy of North America*. Shambhala, Boston
and London. Pp. 113-117.

Isaacson, R. T. 1993. *Anderson horticultural library\'s source list of
plants and seeds*. Anderson Horticultural Library. University of
Minnesota Libraries. Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. 261 pp.

Jordan, J.A. 1965. *Ethnobotany of the Kiowa-Apache*. Master's Thesis,
University of Oklahoma.

Kindscher, K. 1992. *Medicinal wild plants of the prairie.* *An
ethnobotanical guide.* University Press of Kansas. Pp. 84-94.

Lewis, W.H. & M.P.F. Elvin-Lewis 1977*.* *Medical botany*: *Plants
affecting man's health*. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, New York.

Leung, A.Y. 1980. *Encyclopedia of common natural ingredients used in
food, drugs, and cosmetics.* John Wiley and Sons, New York, New York.

Martin, A.C., H. S. Zim, & A.L. Nelson 1951. *American wildlife and
plants.* *A guide to wildlife food habits*. Dover Publications, Inc.,
New York, New York. 500 pp.

M^c^Clintock, W. 1909. *Materia medica of the Blackfeet*. Zeitschrift
fur ethnologie: 273-279.

M^c^Gregor, R.L. T.M. Barkley, R.E. Brooks, & E.K. Schofield (eds.)
1991. *Flora of the Great Plains*. University Press of Kansas. 1402 pp.

Moerman, D.E. 1986. *Medicinal plants of Native America*. Research
Reports in Ethnobotany, Contribution 2. Technical Reports, Number 19,
University of Michigan Museum of Anthropology, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Pp.
156-158.

Pelletier, G. 1982. *Abenaki basketry*. Mercury Series, No. 85. National
Museum of Man, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Strike, S.S. 1994. *Ethnobotany of the California Indians*. Volume 2.
Aboriginal uses of California's indigenous plant*s*. Koeltz Scientific
Books, USA/Germany.

Swedish Museum of Natural History 2000. *Den virtuella floran:
Hierochloe odorata*. Arne Anderberg-photo. Version: 000228.
\<http://linnaeus.nrm.se/flora/mono/poa/hiero/hierodo.html\> Stockholm,
Sweden.

Turnbaugh, S.P. & W.A. Turnbaugh 1986. *Indian baskets*. Schiffer
Publishing Ltd., West Chester, Pennsylvania. 260 pp.

USDA, NRCS 1996. *Cultural and establishment trials of culturally
significant plants.* 1993-1995 Technical Report, Bridger Plant Materials
Center, Bridger, Montana.

USDA, NRCS 1999. *Cultural and establishment trials of culturally
significant plants*. 1996-1997 Technical Report, Bridger Plant Materials
Center, Bridger, Montana.

Winslow, S. 1999. *Sweetgrass and cottonwood production in Bridger,
Montana*. IN Plants: A Growing Alternative. A National Publication of
the Natural Resources Conservation Service Plant Materials Program.
Volume 4. Beltsville, Maryland.

###### Prepared By:

## *Michelle Stevens*

Formerly USDA NRCS, National Plant Data Center

##### *Susan Winslow*

USDA NRCS, Bridger Plant Materials Center, Bridger, Montana

###### Species Coordinator:

##### *M. Kat Anderson*

USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center

c/o Plant Science Department, University of California, Davis,
California

Edited: 05dec00 jsp; 20may03 ahv; 07jun06 jsp; 060807 jsp

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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