Hierochloe (odorata)
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John P. Morgan President Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden PO Box 10, 0043E - 82nd Road N Argyle, Manitoba R0C0B0 204-467-9371 john01@xplornet.com www.rsabg.org |
| Family Scientific Name: | Graminae | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Family Common Name: | Grasses | ||
| Scientific Name: | Hierochloe odorata | ||
| Common Name: | Sweet Grass | ||
| Ecotype: | Local Manitoba | ||
| General Distribution: | Central & northern North America | ||
| Known Invasiveness: | Can spread by rhizomes in seasonally moist areas, rarely by seed | ||
| Propagation Goal: | seeds | ||
| Propagation Method: | seed | ||
| ProductType: | Container (plug) | ||
| Stock Type: | Local | ||
| Time To Grow: | 3 Months | ||
| Target Specifications: | To grow transplantable seedlings that will survive on their own | ||
| Propagule Collection: | Seed should be collected fresh in June & early July | ||
| Propagule Processing: | None if planted immediately, drying if stored | ||
| Pre-Planting Treatments: |
None for fresh seed; Cold moist stratification at 4 degrees C, 40 degrees F, for dried seed for 8 weeks |
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| Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops: |
Clean weed free planting area, moist | ||
| Establishment Phase: | Same | ||
| Length of Establishment Phase: | 1-2 growing seasons | ||
| Active Growth Phase: | Long-lived perennial | ||
| Length of Active Growth Phase: | Unknown - many years | ||
| Hardening Phase: | 1 week if placing out from greenhouse propagation - gradually expose to increasing sun & wind, decreasing moisture | ||
| Length of Hardening Phase: | 1 week | ||
| Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: | Seed to be harvested late June - early July in Manitoba latitude 50 degrees | ||
| Length of Storage: | Can be stored cool & dry for ~ 2-4 years without too much loss of viability | ||
| Other Comments: | Easy to grow from root cuttings & offshoots from parent plants; very fragrant; native peoples consider this grass to have been the first species to cover the earth & a good purifier; seed & mature plants very difficult to find after mid summer as other grasses & forbs often get taller & hide it | ||
| References: | 20+ years greenhouse experience with this species in Manitoba, Canada | ||
Citation:
Morgan, John P.. 2010. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Hierochloe odorata seeds Local; Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden Argyle, Manitoba. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/06/08). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.
