Sweetgrass

<http://npdc.usda.gov> basketry by means of cotton thread. This took the form of bowls, oval and round, and of flat mats. Birch bark was sometimes used as the center of these baskets, with the coils of sweetgrass being sewed around it.” Sweetgrass was used in coiled baskets, primarily in the northeast. The Paiute used sweetgrass woven with willow bark in the hoods of cradleboards. The Central-Northern Algonkians, Iroquoians, and Hurons edged woodsplint basketry and vessel borders with sweetgrass (Turnbaugh et al. 1986). Central-Northern Algonkian peoples are known for their production of flexible weft-twined bags, and some created bundle-coiled baskets of sweetgrass. Northern New England basketry intermixed wood splints with twisted or braided sweetgrass in one basket (Pelletier 1982, Turnbaugh et al. 1986). In the northeast, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, Winnebago, Menominee, Mohawk, Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, and Abenaki (Turnbaugh et al. 1986) made coiled baskets of sweetgrass. In the Plains cultural area, rawhide containers enjoyed much greater popularity than did woven or stitched basketry. The Arapaho and Mandan may have also used sweetgrass in their coiled baskets (Ibid.). Wildlife: Rodents and small mammals (such as pika) browse on sweetgrass (Martin 1951). Restoration: Sweetgrass is a useful plant for wetland and riparian restoration and mitigation and spring protection/renovation. Sweetgrass has potential for conservation use for erosion control on moderately sloping, hillside seeps. Seeps are sometimes erosive because the soil stays liquid and the saturated conditions inhibit the growth of many plants. The sod-forming and moisture tolerant characteristics of sweetgrass will stabilize the seep (Ivan Dozier pers. comm. 1999).

Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status and wetland indicator values, , Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Sweetgrass.

Description

General: Grass Family (Poaceae). Sweetgrass is a fragrant, rhizomatous, perennial grass that reaches a height of 7 dm. (30 in.). The stems are hollow and hairless with open sheaths. The leaf blades are flat at maturity, usually glabrous, 10-30 cm. (3.9-11.8 in.) long. The sweetgrass inflorescence is an open panicle 4-9 cm. (1.6-3.5 in.) long; the lower branches are drooping to spreading. The spikelets are three-flowered, the two lowest florets staminate (male) and the uppermost is perfect (both female and male). Sweetgrass is an early blooming plant and flowers from May to July.

Distribution

For current distribution, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site. Sweetgrass grows in wet meadows, low prairies, and the edges of sloughs and marshes in Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, South Dakota, northwest Iowa, and western and central Montana. It grows from Labrador to Alaska, south to New Jersey, Indiana, Iowa, New Mexico, and Arizona. It is also native to Eurasia. Sweetgrass grows below 1830 m in California and is rare in the state, occurring in the north High Cascade Ranges and extending north (McGregor 1991).

Establishment

Adaptation: Sweetgrass is a rhizomatous perennial that is native to cooler regions of North America and Europe. It is found in moist, cool meadows, shaded stream banks, and cool mountain canyons (Dorn 1984). Caution: Due to prolific rhizome production, it can be moderately invasive. In its native habitat, sweetgrass grows primarily in wetlands and riparian areas. Due to the loss of wetland habitat throughout the United States, it is rarely appropriate to harvest wild plants. Wild harvests should be restricted to salvage sites with appropriate approvals or permits. Sweetgrass populations are declining due to harvesting for both personal and commercial use. The species is subject to over-collecting and is sensitive to grazing. Indian elders are quoted as saying “Today sweetgrass has become scarce and is hard to find” (Hart 1976). The following information on the propagation of sweetgrass is obtained from the Bridger Plant Materials Center (1996 and 1999) and Susan Winslow (1999). Propagation from Cuttings: Sweetgrass can be propagated easily from container or bare rootstock, as it produces many rhizomes. It can also be propagated from seed. However, in nature, sweetgrass is a sporadic seed producer, and germination rates are fairly low (25-30%), so propagation from seed is more difficult than from cuttings or division of plants. Handling and care requires commitment and attention to detail to maximize survival. Initially, the plants should remain in the pots for an additional 2-3 weeks after you receive them, and watering must occur every day while in the pots. This is because of the possibility of lingering transplant shock and because the soil in the pots dries out fairly quickly. The plants will continue to grow and thrive in the original containers for quite a period of time while site location and preparation efforts are finalized. Pick the sites where sweetgrass is to be transplanted carefully, and prepare the site properly before planting. It is advisable to keep the immediate planting area clear of competing vegetation, which may simply mean hand weeding around individual plants, or a mechanical means may be required. Sweetgrass grows in wetter areas in its natural habitat, and during the establishment period irrigation is likely to be required. Soil should be kept very wet to moist. For plants grown in greenhouse flats or collected from the wild, it is best to dig up and separate plants in late fall or winter (Hartman et al. 1990). This is the “quiescent” period that follows seed maturation, and leaves are senescent (dried up and brown colored). When separating plants, ensure that each “plantlet” has a rhizome or rhizome bud. Each plant should be planted in full sun in a light, loose soil. Plants should be planted on 3-foot centers; they will fill in and make solid stands of sweetgrass in one to two years. Plants need to be kept moist, and need frequent watering. Plants may need to be protected from herbivores, such as rabbits or gophers. Dogs love sweetgrass and will selectively eat the shoots and roll in the grass.

Management

After the plants have established and grown to a minimum height of 4 to 6 inches (to avoid damaging small seedlings), routinely weed and remove unwanted vegetation. This will reduce competition for light, nutrients, and water, and encourage vigorous plant growth and development. Sweetgrass prefers a moist environment, so regularly water the site. The rhizomes (underground, horizontal stems) develop early and will emerge during the first growing season. The grass will continue to spread if left unattended. The leaves will reach a length of approximately 12-15 inches and can be harvested once or twice a year. The foliage is very relaxed and it will be necessary to carefully lift the leaves and cut the stems close to the ground (leave 1 to 2 inches of plant stem). The actual number of harvests per year will depend on climatic conditions, seasonal timing, and the traditional environmental knowledge of the particular indigenous group tending the grass. Plan the final harvest (late summer in northern climes) so that there will be adequate time for the plants to prepare for the onset of cold temperatures and winter conditions. If this natural hardening-off process does not occur, it will eventually have a detrimental effect on the long-term persistent and survival of the stand. Fertilizing is not recommended in the first year of establishment, as weeds would reap the most benefit during that time. The use of a balanced, all-around, granular fertilizer is recommended after the first year. Traditional Resource Management: The following information on sweetgrass was provided by Lynn Youngbuck, who is Cherokee, Chiracahua, and Fox: 1) take only what you need, leaving the best to reproduce; 2) speak to the plant, leave an offering of tobacco or sage before harvesting; the plant will grow back two stems for every one cut; 3) we humans are another strand in life; plants sustain us and should be treated as another living being; 4) plants were taken care of by extended family groups of women; they were taken care of and watched each year for generations; and 5) materials harvested were shared and traded with the whole tribe. Cultivars, Improved and Selected Materials (and area of origin) HIOD is widely available through native plant nurseries and seed companies within its range. Contact your local Natural Resources

Conservation

Service (formerly Soil Conservation Service) office for more information. Look in the phone book under ”United States Government.” The Natural Resources Conservation Service will be listed under the subheading “Department of Agriculture.”

Seed Propagation

Propagation

Propagation

Site Preparation: The site should be prepared well in advance of planting, either late in the fall or very early in the spring. Preparation includes the following: removal of all weeds; rototilling or hand-digging so that the soil is loose and friable; raking or smoothing to a level, clump-free grade; packing or rolling to firm the surface (afterwards, only light foot imprints should be visible when walked across); and moistening the soil evenly to a depth of 2 to 3 inches (or when surface puddling is evident) with a sprinkler or hand-held spray nozzle. Seeding: Sweetgrass is a cool-season species that requires a period of cold temperatures before it will germinate from seed. Late fall, late winter, or early spring is the best time to plant the sweetgrass seed. At the time of seeding, the soil should be moistened to a depth of 1 inch. The seed should be fully ripened (very firm when squeezed between fingernails or when clipped with a fingernail clipper) and free of debris. Sweetgrass seed is very small at approximately 1.1 million seeds per pound. Depending on the amount of seed available and the plant density desired, the seed can be dribbled in rows at a rate of up to 25 seeds per linear foot, or broadcast at 50 seeds per square foot. This may optimally result in 6 plants per row and/or 13 plants per square foot (seed germination tests have averaged 25-30%). Planting depth should not exceed 0.25 to 0.5 inches. It is very important after seed placement that the area be re-rolled or packed to ensure satisfactory seed-to-soil contact. The tiny seed can be easily washed away, so follow planting immediately with a light watering. Keep the area moist until seedling emergence, in about 10-14 days. In soils (clayey) that are prone to crusting, subsequent periodic, short-duration watering may be necessary.

Fact Sheet

Alternate Names

The plant “sweetgrass” consists of two different taxa: Hierochloe odorata (L.) Beauv. HIOD and Hierochloe hirta (Schrank) var. arctica (J.Presl) G.Weim. HIHIA; vanilla grass, holy grass, Seneca grass, alpine sweetgrass

Uses

Cultural: The cultural uses of sweetgrass include ceremonial incense, perfume, hair wash, bedding, basketry, dermatological aid, cold remedy, cough medicine, eyewash, febrifuge, respiratory aid, analgesic, insecticide, veterinary aid, decoration and adornment, Because of the sweet, vanilla-like fragrance that develops once the plant has been harvested and begins to dry the use of sweetgrass as incense and fragrance is fairly ubiquitous among Native American tribes, The longer leaves are often braided and burned for religious and peace ceremonies, to invoke good power, and for various other rituals of cultural significance, In addition, sweetgrass has been utilized for several medicinal and cosmetic purposes, Whether alone, as adornment and perfume, or soaked in water for tea and other solutions the therapeutic applications of sweetgrass are scattered throughout the tribes, Another traditional use of this invoke good power, and for various other rituals of cultural significance, In addition, sweetgrass has been utilized for several medicinal and cosmetic purposes, Whether alone, as adornment and perfume, or soaked in water for tea and other solutions the therapeutic applications of sweetgrass are scattered throughout the tribes, Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Sweetgrass., Another traditional use of this plant, particularly among the people of the Great Lakes and Northeast, is in handicrafts, Sweetgrass is often employed to craft or decorate baskets, bowls, trays and mats,

Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status (e.g. threatened or endangered species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

Description

Sweetgrass is a native perennial grass. The culms are semi-erect, up to 30 inches tall and arise from slender, creeping rhizomes. Leaves are few, rough-edged and have shiny, hairless undersides. Often it has a reddish-purple color near the base of the plant. The highly prized longer leaves that grow on sterile shoots reach 18+ inches in length. The inflorescence is an open, pyramid-shaped, golden brown panicle with slender branches. Spikelets have 3 florets with awnless lemmas; glumes are thin, translucent and nearly equal in length. The fruit is a caryopsis. Robert H. Mohlenbrock USDA NRCS 1992 Western Wetland Flora @ USDA NRCS PLANTS

Adaptation and Distribution

Distribution

Distribution

Both taxa of sweetgrass are circumpolar, and native to both the western and eastern hemispheres. In North America their extensive range traverses the northern regions from Alaska to Newfoundland, moving down to New England, across the Great Lakes region and the upper Midwest to Oregon, and into the Southwest. Sweetgrass usually inhabits moist ground on shores (fresh or brackish), meadows, low prairies, at the edges of woods, bogs and marshes. Normally, it is not found in pure stands but among other grasses and shrubs in mid-successional communities. For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Website.

Establishment

Sweetgrass spreads vigorously by often-deep creeping rhizomes. In the spring these rhizomes produce inconspicuous fruiting stems with sparse, short leaves. Longer leaves develop later from separate sterile basal shoots. Although sweetgrass can reproduce by seed, it is mostly infertile, producing few seedheads that contain few seeds. Sweetgrass is extremely cold hardy. It will go dormant in cold weather and resprout once ground temperatures reach 40 oF. For the Great Lakes, Northeastern and Midwestern regions flowering begins in the spring. Sweetgrass development from seed is very slow. This coupled with the infertile nature of the plant explains why plant division is the most successful method of reproducing sweetgrass. Dividing a plant is accomplished by separating the individual propagules that have developed from the rhizomes of a spreading plant. Each propagule can then be placed in a container for further separation or future planting. Newly separated plants will do best if placed in the shade for 2–3 weeks while their roots establish. After this, transplant at 1-foot spacings into areas of partial shade to full sun.

Plant Traits

Growth Requirements

Temperature, Minimum (°F)	-38
Adapted to Coarse Textured Soils	Yes
Adapted to Fine Textured Soils	No
Adapted to Medium Textured Soils	Yes
Anaerobic Tolerance	Medium
CaCO3 Tolerance	Medium
Cold Stratification Required	No
Drought Tolerance	Low
Fertility Requirement	Medium
Fire Tolerance	High
Frost Free Days, Minimum	130
Hedge Tolerance	None
Moisture Use	High
pH, Maximum	7.4
pH, Minimum	5.7
Precipitation, Maximum	50
Precipitation, Minimum	16
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)	12
Salinity Tolerance	Medium
Shade Tolerance	Intermediate

Morphology/Physiology

After Harvest Regrowth Rate	Moderate
Toxicity	None
Shape and Orientation	Semi-Erect
Nitrogen Fixation	None
Resprout Ability	No
Active Growth Period	Spring, Summer, Fall
Bloat	None
C:N Ratio	Medium
Coppice Potential	No
Fall Conspicuous	No
Fire Resistant	No
Flower Color	Yellow
Flower Conspicuous	No
Foliage Color	Gray-Green
Foliage Porosity Summer	Porous
Foliage Texture	Medium
Low Growing Grass	No
Lifespan	Moderate
Leaf Retention	No
Known Allelopath	No
Height, Mature (feet)	2.0
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Form	Bunch
Fruit/Seed Conspicuous	No
Fruit/Seed Color	Black
Foliage Porosity Winter	Porous

Reproduction

Vegetative Spread Rate	None
Small Grain	No
Seedling Vigor	Low
Seed Spread Rate	Slow
Seed per Pound	110000
Fruit/Seed Persistence	No
Propagated by Tubers	No
Propagated by Sprigs	No
Propagated by Sod	No
Propagated by Seed	Yes
Propagated by Corm	No
Propagated by Container	No
Propagated by Bulb	No
Propagated by Bare Root	No
Fruit/Seed Period End	Fall
Fruit/Seed Period Begin	Summer
Fruit/Seed Abundance	High
Commercial Availability	Routinely Available
Bloom Period	Mid Summer
Propagated by Cuttings	No

Suitability/Use

Veneer Product	No
Pulpwood Product	No
Protein Potential	Low
Post Product	No
Palatable Human	No
Palatable Graze Animal	Low
Palatable Browse Animal	Medium
Nursery Stock Product	No
Naval Store Product	No
Lumber Product	No
Fodder Product	Yes
Christmas Tree Product	No
Berry/Nut/Seed Product	No

Sweetgrass

Sweetgrass

Sweetgrass

Sweetgrass