Holy-grass (Anthoxanthum nitens, Blumea 30: 348 (1985))

Family: Poaceae

Author: (Weber) Y.Schouten & Veldkamp

Bibliography: Blumea 30: 348 (1985)

Year: 1985

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Anthoxanthum

Vegetable: False

Observations: Subarctic & Temp. Northern Hemisphere

Description

Holy-grass, known scientifically as Anthoxanthum nitens, is a resilient and aromatic species belonging to the Poaceae family. This distinctive grass inhabits the subarctic and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, marking its presence in a variety of cool climate locales.

Originally classified by Weber and later refined by botanists Y. Schouten and Veldkamp, Holy-grass has piqued the interest of researchers and botanists alike, culminating in a detailed description within Blumea, an esteemed botanical journal, in its 30th volume on page 348, published in 1985.

Anthoxanthum nitens is celebrated not just for its resilience in challenging environments but also for its unique fragrance, which has earned it a place in various traditional practices and ceremonies. The grass’s aromatic properties are attributed to its high levels of coumarin, a fragrant organic compound that imparts a sweet odor reminiscent of fresh hay or vanilla.

This grass’s distinctive scent not only plays a role in cultural rituals but also contributes to its ecological interactions. The fragrance can attract pollinators and perhaps even deter herbivores, showcasing the plant’s intricate role within its ecosystem.

In conclusion, Holy-grass is a notable member of the Poaceae family, revered both for its adaptability to harsh climates and its appealing aroma. Its study is documented comprehensively, providing valuable insights into its classification and ecological importance.

Common Names

Deu: duftmariengras
Eng: holy grass, manna grass, seneca grass, sweet grass, vanilla grass, bison grass, vanilla sweetgrass, indian grass
Swe: myskgräs
Nld: veenreukgras
Fra: hiérochloé odorante
En: Holy-grass, Buffalo Grass, Vanilla Grass, Vanilla-scented Grass
Da: Festgræs, Vellugtende festgræs
Nl: Veenreukgras
Fi: Tuoksumaarianheinä
Fr: Hierochloë odorante, Avoine odorante, Hiérochloé odorant, Herbe à la Vierge, Herbe de la Vierge
De: Duftendes Mariengras, Wohlriechendes Mariengras, Duft-Mariengras
It: Avena odorata
Se: Háisuoidni, Hálissasuoidni, Hálsuoidni, Oarjeháisuoidni
No: Lugtgras, Marigras
Nb: Marigras
Nn: Marigras
Gd: Feur Moire
Sv: Doftmyskgräs, Tuoksumaarianheinä
Cy: Perwellt Sanctaidd, Perwellt Santaidd

Synonyms

• Avena odorata ((L.) Koeler)
• Hierochloe odorata subsp. fragrans ((Willd.) Nyman)
• Anthoxanthum hirtum ((Schrank) Y.Schouten & Veldkamp)
• Hierochloe wrangelica (Jurtzev & Prob.)
• Hierochloe hirta subsp. arctica ((J.Presl) G.Weim.)
• Holcus borealis (Schrad.)
• Savastana hirta (Schrank)
• Hierochloe odorata f. eamesii (Fernald)
• Hierochloe odorata var. annulata (Petrov)
• Anthoxanthum nitens subsp. kolymense ((Prob.) Röser & Tkach)
• Hierochloe borealis var. fragrans ((Willd.) Hartm.)
• Hierochloe odorata var. firma (F.Nyl.)
• Hierochloe borealis subsp. fragrans ((Willd.) C.Hartm.)
• Hierochloe borealis var. microstachya (Hartm.)
• Torresia odorata ((L.) Hitchc.)
• Anthoxanthum hirtum subsp. arcticum ((J.Presl) G.C.Tucker)
• Poa nitens (Weber)
• Hierochloe annulata (Petrov)
• Hierochloe odorata subsp. kolymensis (Prob.)
• Hierochloe odorata subsp. baltica (G.Weim.)
• Hierochloe borealis var. biflora ((Hartm.) Hartm.)
• Holcus borealis var. biflorus (Hartm.)
• Savastana odorata var. fragrans ((Willd.) Farw.)
• Hierochloe hirta var. annulata ((Petrov) Vilyasoo)
• Savastana nashii (C.Bicknell)
• Holcus fragrans (Willd.)
• Hierochloe nashii ((C.Bicknell) Kaczm.)
• Hierochloe odorata subsp. praetermissa ((G.Weim.) B.Walln.)
• Hierochloe borealis var. firma (Hartm.)
• Holcus arcticus (Sommerf.)
• Hierochloe odorata subsp. arctica ((J.Presl) Tzvelev)
• Hierochloe odorata subsp. hirta ((Schrank) Tzvelev)
• Hierochloe hirta ((Schrank) Borbás)
• Torresia nashii ((C.Bicknell) House)
• Hierochloe glauca (Gliem. ex Bab.)
• Hierochloe baltica ((G.Weim.) Czerep.)
• Anthoxanthum nitens subsp. balticum ((G.Weim.) G.C.Tucker)
• Hierochloe odorata var. diffusa (Fiek)
• Hierochloe hirta subsp. praetermissa (G.Weim.)
• Hierochloe fragrans ((Willd.) Roem. & Schult.)
• Hierochloe odorata var. biflora ((Hartm.) Hartm.)
• Hierochloe praetermissa ((G.Weim.) Prob. & Tzvelev)
• Holcus odoratus (L.)
• Hierochloe borealis ((Schrad.) Roem. & Schult.)
• Hierochloe arctica (J.Presl)
• Hierochloe odorata var. fragrans ((Hartm.) Vilyasoo)
• Dimesia fragrans ((Willd.) Raf.)
• Savastana odorata ((L.) Scribn.)
• Hierochloe odorata ((L.) P.Beauv.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Alaska (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Aleutian Is. (native)
• Altay (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• California (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Chita (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Delaware (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greenland (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Montana (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Norway (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Nunavut (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Poland (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Qinghai (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Utah (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yukon (native)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Habit

Taken Jul 15, 1997 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 15, 2002 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 17, 2021 by Юрий Басов (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jul 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Apr 24, 2011 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 31, 2019 by Manon Bounous (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2020 by Thierry Richard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 11, 2021 by Gerrit Groen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Other

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2703346)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:914834-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Hierochloe odorata (L.) P.Beauv.)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2703336)

Specifications

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth