Sweetgrass
(Savastana odorata)

Other common names: Indian Grass, Smelly Vanilla Grass, Sweet Grass

Other scientific names: Anthoxanthum nitens, Hierochloe borealis, Holcus odoratus

French names: Hiérochloé odorante 

Family: Grass Family (Poaceae)

Group: Grasses

Distinctive features: Odiferous when crushed. Leaves shiny.

Flowers: Spring

Habitat: Generally likes to grow in damp areas, but when planted will do well just about anywhere.

Uses: This is the sacred Sweetgrass that North American Native people use for smudging.

Native/Non-native: Native

Status: not overly common

Notes: Very odiferous when crushed, or when dried grasses are lit and left to smoulder.

Origin and Meaning of Names:
 Scientific Name: odorata: fragrant


Photographs: 41 photographs available, of which 10 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

  

This photo shows the shiny aspect of the leaves.

A nice healthy patch. This is in my backyard.

This is a patch of Sweetgrass in late fall (October).

  

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