Hierochloe odorata - Holy Grass

Family:	Gramineae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.6
Width:	0.6
Synonyms:	H. borealis.
Range:	Central and northern Europe, including Britain, to N. Asia and N. America.

Hierochloe odorata (Holy Grass) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.6m and a width of 0.6m . It has a hardness rating of 5and is vunerable to frost.
Holy Grass will flower in October to November. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Wind

Soil Information

Holy 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
Holy Grass prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Holy Grass can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Wet banks in only a few sites in Scotland[17].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

Prefers a damp position in a rich soil but succeeds in most soils including quite dry conditions[162]. Grows best in a sunny position[238]. The plants have a running root system and can spread aggressively when grown in suitable conditions[74]. The plant, as it dries, emits a powerful scent of newly mown hay[245].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
Seed - cooked[105]. 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[183]. The leaves are added to vodka as a flavouring[238]. The plant is said to be used as a colouring agent[183] but no more details are given.

• Colouring - edible dyes
• Condiment - the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.
• Seed - includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
A tea made from the leaves is used in the treatment of fevers, coughs, sore throats, chafing and venereal infections[222, 257]. It is also used to stop vaginal bleeding and to expel afterbirth[222]. The stems can be soaked in water and used to treat windburn and chapping and as an eyewash[257]. Some caution is advised when using this plant internally, see the notes above on toxicity[222]. The leaves are harvested in the summer and dried for later use[238]. Smoke from the burning leaves has been inhaled in the treatment of colds[257].

• Birthing aid - Used in facilitating birth, but not just to cause uterine contrctions.
• Febrifuge - Reduces fevers.
• Skin - Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.
• VD - Used in the treatment of venereal disease

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ and only just cover the seed[162]. 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[162]. Very simple, virtually any part of the root will regrow to make a new plant[K].

Scented parts of the plants

Plant : Dried

Known Hazards

The plant contains coumarin, this is toxic if taken internally[169] and is sometimes considered to be carcinogenic[222].

Other Uses

The dried leaves are used as an incense[46, 61, 99], they were formerly also used as a strewing herb[1, 46, 238] and have been used as a stuffing in pillows and mattresses[257]. They have also been used as an insect repellent in the clothes cupboard where they impart a nice smell to the clothes[99, 238]. The leaves are used to make aromatic baskets[46, 61, 99, 169, 171]. The wet leaves can be sewn together, dried until they are tight and then resin used over the stitches to make a waterproof container[257]. The leaves can be soaked in water to make a tonic hair wash[257]. An essential oil distilled from the leaves is used in perfumery where it acts as an excitant and fixative for other aromas[238]. The plant has a very aggressive root system and has been planted to stabilize banks[74].

• Basketry - Plant used in making baskets and other items such as chairs. Includes plants that are only used as an ornamental addition.
• Hair - Plants used as hair shampoos, tonics, to treat balding etc.
• Incense - Aromatic plants that can be burnt to impart a pleasant smell, repel insects and disinfect closed areas.
• Repellent - Plants that are said to deter but not necessarily kill various mammals, birds, insects etc.
• Soil stabilization - Plants that can be grown in places such as sand dunes in order to prevent erosion by wind, water or other agents.
• Strewing - Plants, usually aromatic, that are strewn on the floor to give a nice smell, repel insects etc.
• Stuffing - Used in making soft toys, mattresses, pillows 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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