species 1,916 observations
Bison Grass
Anthoxanthum nitens
Field notes
Hierochloe odorata or Anthoxanthum nitens (commonly known as sweet grass, manna grass, Mary's grass or vanilla grass, and as holy grass in the UK, bison grass e.g. by Polish vodka producers) is an aromatic herb native to Northern Eurasia and North America. It is considered sacred by many Indigenous peoples in Canada and the United States. It is used as a smudge in herbal medicine and in the production of distilled beverages (e.g., Żubrówka, Wisent). It owes its distinctive sweet scent to the presence of coumarin.
This variety of grass is distinct from the species commonly known as buffalo grass in Australia and the United States (Stenotaphrum secundatum and Bouteloua dactyloides, respectively).
Read more on WikipediaSupports All
supported in the US
Range
Greener is more native, amber more introduced; paler is less certain. How this was decided
Key traits
- Layer
- Grasses and sedges
- Plant type
- Ornamental grasses and sedges Perennial
From USDA PLANTS.