Hierochloe odorata
Holy Grass
a perennial member of the Hierochloe genus in the family Gramineae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Gramineae
- Genus
- Hierochloe
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 0.6 m
- Spread
- 0.6 m
- Fertility
- Wind
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Wind
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The plant contains coumarin, this is toxic if taken internally[4] and is sometimes considered to be carcinogenic[8].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - cooked[2]. Small and fiddly to use. It almost certainly does not contain coumarin and should be safe to use. An essential oil from the leaves is used as a food flavouring in sweets and soft drinks. It has a strong vanilla-like flavour[7]. The leaves are added to vodka as a flavouring[9]. The plant is said to be used as a colouring agent[7] but no more details are given.
- Product or use
- Colouring
- Product or use
- Condiment
- Plant part
- Seed
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A tea made from the leaves is used in the treatment of fevers, coughs, sore throats, chafing and venereal infections[8][11]. It is also used to stop vaginal bleeding and to expel afterbirth[8]. The stems can be soaked in water and used to treat windburn and chapping and as an eyewash[11]. Some caution is advised when using this plant internally, see the notes above on toxicity[8]. The leaves are harvested in the summer and dried for later use[9]. Smoke from the burning leaves has been inhaled in the treatment of colds[11].
- Product or use
- Birthing aid
- Product or use
- Febrifuge
- Product or use
- Skin
- Product or use
- VD
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The dried leaves are used as an incense[12][13][15], they were formerly also used as a strewing herb[1][12][9] and have been used as a stuffing in pillows and mattresses[11]. They have also been used as an insect repellent in the clothes cupboard where they impart a nice smell to the clothes[15][9]. The leaves are used to make aromatic baskets[12][13][15][4][6]. The wet leaves can be sewn together, dried until they are tight and then resin used over the stitches to make a waterproof container[11]. The leaves can be soaked in water to make a tonic hair wash[11]. An essential oil distilled from the leaves is used in perfumery where it acts as an excitant and fixative for other aromas[9]. The plant has a very aggressive root system and has been planted to stabilize banks[14].
- Product or use
- Basketry
- Product or use
- Hair care
- Product or use
- Incense
- Product or use
- Repellent
- Product or use
- Strewing
- Product or use
- Stuffing
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- Central and northern Europe, including Britain, to N. Asia and N. America.
- Habitat
- Wet banks in only a few sites in Scotland[5].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- high
- Hardiness
- Zone 5+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow spring in situ and only just cover the seed[3]. Germination usually takes place within 2 weeks. If the seed is in short supply it can be sown in the cold frame in the spring. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer. Division in spring or summer[3]. Very simple, virtually any part of the root will regrow to make a new plant[K].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Prefers a damp position in a rich soil but succeeds in most soils including quite dry conditions[3]. Grows best in a sunny position[9]. The plants have a running root system and can spread aggressively when grown in suitable conditions[14]. The plant, as it dries, emits a powerful scent of newly mown hay[10].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Grounds. R. Ornamental Grasses. Christopher Helm 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-7470-1219-9
Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00
Turner. N. J. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-7718-8117-7