sweetgrass

Sweetgrass is the common name for several grasses in the family Poaceae, most often Hierochloa odorata (formerly Anthoxanthum odoratum). It is a perennial cool-season grass with a distinctive vanilla- or syrup-like fragrance, a property that has made it valuable for crafts and ceremonial use. The plant typically forms clumps with blue-green leaves and reaches roughly 20 to 60 centimeters in height, with a delicate panicle inflorescence.

Aroma and composition: The sweet scent is released by the leaves when fresh or dried, and is due to coumarin compounds. This fragrance intensifies when the plant is crushed or heated, contributing to its use in scent products and ceremonial practices.

Habitat and distribution: Sweetgrass grows in moist meadows, damp meadows, and along riverbanks in temperate regions. It has been widely cultivated and naturalized beyond its native range and is particularly valued in North American Indigenous crafts and traditions for its pliable stems and aromatic properties.

Uses and cultural significance: The most well-known use of sweetgrass is in weaving long braids for baskets, mats, and ceremonial items. Braids are commonly used in Indigenous ceremonies and are burned or used in smudging practices to carry fragrance. In addition to crafts, dried sweetgrass is used in sachets, potpourri, and fragrance products, and it is sometimes cultivated ornamentally for its scent and texture.

Taxonomy note: Botanical sources vary on naming; Hierochloa odorata is the accepted name in many references, with Anthoxanthum odoratum as a synonym.

Conservation: Not generally considered threatened, though local habitat loss can affect populations.