Common Name: Sweet Vernal Grass

General Information

Anthoxanthum odoratum is a perennial, clump-forming grass with erect stems 10 - 75cm tall, exceptionally to 100cm.
Sweet vernal grass is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine, food and source of materials. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens.
The plant has spread as a weed to many parts of the globe. It forms an extensive ground cover in open mesic and dry habitats at moderate to high elevations in the tropics, where it invades disturbed areas, preventing the reestablishment of native species. It is considered to be invasive in many countries, including New Zealand, Chile, Australia and Hawaii[].

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[].
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[].

Botanical References

Range

Most of Europe, from the Atlantic, through northern and central Asia to the Caucasus. Kazakhstan and Mongolia; N. Africa - Morocco to Algeria.

Habitat

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

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.45 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in most soils, especially acid ones, growing best on drier soils but tolerating wet conditions[, ]. Plants are often found on nutrient-poor soils, especially when phosphorus is deficient[]. Dislikes shade. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
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[].
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[].

Edible Uses

Seed[, ]. The seed is very small and its use would be fiddly[].

A tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves[]. A sweet pleasant fragrance[]. Some caution is advised, see notes at top of the page.

Medicinal

The whole plant, and especially the flowering stems, is anticoagulant, antispasmodic and stimulant[, ]. It is normally only applied externally, where it is used in the treatment of rheumatic pain, chilblains, nervous insomnia etc[].
It is said that a tincture made from this grass with spirit of wine is an effective and immediate cure for hay fever[, ].

Other Uses

The aromatic leaves and dried flowers are used as a strewing herb, they are also woven into baskets[, ] and used in pot-pourri[].

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[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ, only just covering the seed. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 3 weeks[].
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.