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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Hierochloe odorata is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from April to May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry moist or wet soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
H. borealis.
Plant Habitats
Bog Garden;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Seed
Edible Uses: Colouring Condiment
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.
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Birthing aid Febrifuge Skin VD
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].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Basketry Hair Incense Repellent Soil stabilization Strewing Stuffing
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].
Special Uses
Scented Plants
References More on Other Uses
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].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
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Plant 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].
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Range
TEMPERATE ASIA: Afghanistan, Turkey (east), Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia (Ciscaucasia), Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russian Federation-Western Siberia (Western Siberia), Russian Federation-Eastern Siberia (Eastern Siberia), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Mongolia, Russian Federation-Far East (Far East), China (Gansu Sheng, Guizhou Sheng, Hebei Sheng, Heilongjiang Sheng, Henan Sheng, Nei Mongol Zizhiqu, Ningxia Huizi Zizhiqu, Qinghai Sheng, Shaanxi Sheng, Shandong Sheng, Shanxi Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Xinjiang Uygur Zizhiqu, Xizang Zizhiqu, Yunnan Sheng), Japan, Korea, South NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Northwest Territories, Yukon, Québec, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia), United States (Alaska, Connecticut, Indiana (north), Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Illinois (north), Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, New Mexico (north), Arizona (northwest), California (north), Nevada, Utah) EUROPE: Denmark, Finland, United Kingdom, Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Russian Federation (European part), Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Moldova (north), Russian Federation (Saratov), Ukraine, Italy (north), France
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
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Author
(L.)P.Beauv.
Botanical References
17
Links / References
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