Anthoxanthum odoratum - Sweet Vernal Grass

Family:	Gramineae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.45
Width:	0.3
Synonyms:
Range:	Most of Europe, including Britain, south and east to N. Africa and W. Asia.

Anthoxanthum odoratum (Sweet Vernal Grass) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.45m and a width of 0.3m . It has a hardness rating of 0and is vunerable to frost.
Sweet Vernal Grass will flower in October to December. the seeds ripen from November to January
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Wind

Soil Information

Sweet Vernal Grass will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Sweet Vernal Grass prefers either dry or moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Sweet Vernal Grass should not be planted in shady areas.

Meadows, woodland margins, heaths and moors on acid and basic soils[9, 17].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Can be planted in Cultivated Beds
• Suits a meadow

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in most soils[200]. Dislikes shade. This is one of the earliest grasses to flower in the year, it produces a lot of pollen and is a major irritant to people who suffer from hay fever[4]. The dried plant releases a strong and persistent fragrance with a refreshing pungent smell that is difficult to describe but is somewhat like newly-mown hay[245].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 3/5
Seed[105, 177]. The seed is very small and its use would be fiddly[K]. A tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves[144]. A sweet pleasant fragrance[183]. Some caution is advised, see notes at top of the page.

• Seed - includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
• Tea - the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The whole plant, and especially the flowering stems, is anticoagulant, antispasmodic and stimulant[9, 13]. It is normally only applied externally, where it is used in the treatment of rheumatic pain, chilblains, nervous insomnia etc[9]. It is said that a tincture made from this grass with spirit of wine is an effective and immediate cure for hay fever[4, 240].

• Anticoagulant - Removes blood clots.
• Antispasmodic - Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.
• Stimulant - Excites or quickens activity of the physiological processes. Faster acting than a tonic but differing from a narcotic in that it does not give a false sense of well-being.

Propagation

Seed - sow April in situ, only just covering the seed. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 3 weeks[134]. Division in spring. Very easy, it can be done successfully at almost any time of the year, though it is best to pot up the divisions in a cold frame if you are doing it outside the growing season.

Scented parts of the plants

Plant : Dried

Known Hazards

The plant contains coumarins, this is what gives it the scent of newly mown hay. When used internally, especially from dried plants, it can act to prevent the blood from co-aggulating[13].

Other Uses

The aromatic leaves and dried flowers are used as a strewing herb, they are also woven into baskets[169, 257] and used in pot-pourri[238]. The plant contains coumarin - this is used medicinally and also in rat poisons where it prevents the blood from co-aggulating and thus means that the slightest cut can kill the rat[13].

• Basketry - Plant used in making baskets and other items such as chairs. Includes plants that are only used as an ornamental addition.
• Pot-pourri - Aromatic plants used to impart a pleasant smell to an area. Can this be grouped with incense or essential oil?
• Strewing - Plants, usually aromatic, that are strewn on the floor to give a nice smell, repel insects etc.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

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