Hierochloe odorata (L.) BeauvFamily - Poaceae Common Names(s) - sweet grass, vanilla grass. Synonym(s) - Anthoxanthum nitens (Weber) Y. Schouten & Veldkamp [this is now the taxonomic name for Hierochloe odorata (L).], Hierochloe fragrans (Willd.) Roemer & J.A. Schultes; Hierochloe borealis Roem & Schult; Holcus odoratus L.; Torresia odorata (L.) Hitchc.

Answer

Score

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated?

y=-3, n=0

n

0

1.02

Has the species become naturalized where grown?

y=1, n=-1

1.03

Does the species have weedy races?

y=-1, n=-1

2.01

Species suited to tropical or subtropical climate(s) (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) – If island is primarily wet habitat, then substitute “wet tropical” for “tropical or subtropical”

See Append 2

0

2.02

Quality of climate match data (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) see appendix 2

2

2.03

Broad climate suitability (environmental versatility)

y=1, n=0

y

1

2.04

Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates

y=1, n=0

2.05

Does the species have a history of repeated introductions outside its natural range?

y=-2, ?=-1, n=0

n

0

3.01

Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2), n= question 2.05

3.02

Garden/amenity/disturbance weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

y

0.5

3.03

Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

0

3.04

Environmental weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

0

3.05

Congeneric weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

y

0.5

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.02

Allelopathic

y=1, n=0

4.03

Parasitic

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

y=1, n=-1

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.08

Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems

y=1, n=0

4.09

Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle

y=1, n=0

4.10

Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone conditions if not a volcanic island)

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

5.01

Aquatic

y=5, n=0

n

0

5.02

Grass

y=1, n=0

y

1

5.03

Nitrogen fixing woody plant

y=1, n=0

n

0

5.04

Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs -- bulbs, corms, or tubers)

y=1, n=0

6.01

Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat

y=1, n=0

n

0

6.02

Produces viable seed.

y=1, n=-1

y

1

6.03

Hybridizes naturally

y=1, n=-1

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y=1, n=-1

y

1

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y=-1, n=0

n

0

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y=1, n=-1

y

1

6.07

Minimum generative time (years) 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, 4+ years = -1

See left

1

1

7.01

Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants growing in heavily trafficked areas)

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.02

Propagules dispersed intentionally by people

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.03

Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y=1, n=-1

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

8.02

Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 yr)

y=1, n=-1

8.03

Well controlled by herbicides

y=-1, n=1

8.04

Tolerates, or benefits from, mutilation, cultivation, or fire

y=1, n=-1

y

1

8.05

Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents)

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

4

Notes

Source

1.01

No evidence.

1.02

1.03

2.01

(1) Hierochloe odorata is circumboreal in distribution and is common above 40 degrees north latitude in Asia, Europe, and North America. (2) Native to Alaska, California, eastern United States, Canada, Eurasia.

(1) http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/graminoid/hieodo/all.html [Cited 2010 February 17]. (2) http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?8738,9048,9050 [Cited 2010 February 17].

2.02

(1) Hierochloe odorata is circumboreal in distribution and is common above 40 degrees north latitude in Asia, Europe, and North America. (2) Native to Alaska, California, eastern United States, Canada, Eurasia.

(1) http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/graminoid/hieodo/all.html [Cited 2010 February 17]. (2) http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?8738,9048,9050 [Cited 2010 February 17].

2.03

(1) Elevation to 1830 m. Wet sites and meadows. (2) Hierochloe odorata has been reported from these elevations: Alaska - 223-1,000m; Arizona - 2,134m; California - 1,830m; Colorado - 2,286-3,505m; Utah - 2,130-3,500m.

(1) http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?8738,9048,9050 [Cited 2010 February 17]. (2) http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/graminoid/hieodo/all.html [Cited 2010 February 17].

2.04

(1) Hierochloe odorata is listed as one of the alien species that is established in Japan or occurring in the wild. [list is not clear as to the region of Japan]

(1) http://www.airies.or.jp/publication/ger/pdf/08-02-08.pdf [Cited 2010 February 17].

2.05

(1) Nurseries that sell this species are within its native distribution. [does not appear to have been repeatedly introduced outside its range.]

(1) http://davesgarden.com/products/ps/go/50020/ [Cited 2010 February 18].

3.01

(1) Hierochloe odorata is listed as one of the alien species that is established in Japan or occurring in the wild.[not clear if naturalized]

(1) http://www.airies.or.jp/publication/ger/pdf/08-02-08.pdf [Cited 2010 February 17].

3.02

(1) Hierochloe odorata needs to be contained in the garden as it is invasive. (2) Hierochloe odorata is listed as a weed of pastures, ditches and roadsides in the Canadian Inventory of Weeds. It is a native in Canada. [no control methods or impacts are included].

(1) http://books.google.com/books?id=zz_mk5A2jSEC&pg=PA107&lpg=PA107&dq=Hierochloe+odorata
+%2B+%22invasive%22&source=bl&ots=T1FW3vWSIK&sig=89PTRoO4a-WCEIuwUCavt-TeNIs&hl=en&ei=1YV8S8G-OIemsgORgOGvDg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CBMQ6AEwBTgU [Cited 2010 February 17]. (2) http://dsp-psd.pwgsc.gc.ca/Collection/A42-100-2003E.pdf [Cited 2010 February 17].

3.03

(1) Hierochloe odorata is listed as a weed of pastures, ditches and roadsides in the Canadian Inventory of Weeds. It is a native in Canada. [no control methods or impacts are included].

(1) http://dsp-psd.pwgsc.gc.ca/Collection/A42-100-2003E.pdf [Cited 2010 February 17].

3.04

(1) No evidence.

(1) http://www.hear.org/gcw/species/hierochloe_odorata/ [Cited 2010 February 17].

3.05

(1) Coastal dunes, grass- and heathland, forests, freshwater wetlands, riparian habitats…The species is highly competitive to other grass species because it grows rapidly and flowers earlier than native species…The herbicide dalapon has proved to be effective for control of this grass. (2) "The subalpine shrubland has been modified by years of impact of goats, cattle, and pigs. The often dense mat of alien grasses such as velvet grass (Holcus lanatus), sweet vernalgrass (Anthoxanthum odoratum), and orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata) inhibits reproduction by seed of native shrubs."

(1) Weber, E. 2003. Invasive plants of the World. CABI Publishing, CAB International, Wallingford, UK. (2) Loope, L.L., R. J. Nagata, and A. C. Medeiros. 1992. Alien plants in Haleakala National Park. Pp. 551-576 in C. P. Stone, C. W. Smith, and J. T. Tunison (eds.). Alien Plant Invasions in Native Ecosystems of Hawai`i: Management and Research. University of Hawaii Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit. Honolulu, HI.

4.01

(1) No spines, thorns or burrs.

(1) http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?8738,9048,9050 [Cited 2010 February 17].

4.02

Unknown.

4.03

(1) Not parasitic.

(1) http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?8738,9048,9050 [Cited 2010 February 17].

4.04

(1) Hierochloe odorata contains coumarins but can be safely made into hay for grazing animals. (2) Hierochloe odorata is sensitive to grazing. (3) Alberta Research Council's research for roadside grasses indicted that Hierochloe odorata is unpalatable.

(1) http://books.google.com/books?id=zz_mk5A2jSEC&pg=PA107&lpg=PA107&dq=Hierochloe+odorata
+%2B+%22invasive%22&source=bl&ots=T1FW3vWSIK&sig=89PTRoO4a-WCEIuwUCavt-TeNIs&hl=en&ei=1YV8S8G-OIemsgORgOGvDg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CBMQ6AEwBTgU [Cited 2010 February 17]. (2) http://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/cs_hiod.pdf [Cited 2010 February18]. (3) http://www.ptac.org/has/dl/hasx0007.pdf [Cited 2010 February 18].

4.05

(1) Hierochloe odorata contains coumarins but can be safely made into hay for grazing animals. (2) No reports of toxicity in PubMed. (3) No reports of toxicity in ToxNet.

(1) http://books.google.com/books?id=zz_mk5A2jSEC&pg=PA107&lpg=PA107&dq=Hierochloe+odorata
+%2B+%22invasive%22&source=bl&ots=T1FW3vWSIK&sig=89PTRoO4a-WCEIuwUCavt-TeNIs&hl=en&ei=1YV8S8G-OIemsgORgOGvDg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CBMQ6AEwBTgU [Cited 2010 February 17]. (2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez [Cited 2010 February 18].(3) http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search [Cited 2010 February 18].

4.06

(1) Hierochloe odorata is a host of Claviceps purpurea in the United States. The sclerotia of many of the Claviceps spp. Contain toxic alkaloids, and their presence in feed or pasture grasses can cause poisoning in animals. The host range of Claviceps pupurea includes over 200 species.

(1) http://ddr.nal.usda.gov/bitstream/10113/8419/1/IND43644180.pdf [Cited 2010 February 17].

4.07

(1) Hierochloe odorata has been used medicinally as a tea for coughs and sore throats. It is used to treat chapping and windburn and as an eyewash. (2) Hierochloe odorata has been used for basketry, dermatological aid, cold remedy, cough medicine, eyewash, febrifuge, respiratory aid, analgesic, insecticide, veterinary aid, decoration and adornment by Native Americans.

(1) http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/graminoid/hieodo/all.html [Cited 2010 February 17]. (2) http://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_hiod.pdf [Cited 2010 February 18].

4.08

Unknown.

4.09

Unknown. (1) Sun to partial shade. (2) Hierochloe occurs in shaded streambanks. (3) Full sun to part shade.

(1) http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/50020/ [Cited 2010 February 17]. (2) http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/graminoid/hieodo/all.html#DISTRIBUTION%20AND%20OCCURRENCE [Cited 2010 February 18]. (3) http://www.sweetgrassplants.com/ [Cited 2010 February 18].

4.10

(1) Hierochloe odorata "grows on moist, heavy soil near the upper areas of the tidal marshes around the coast of Nova Scotia. It occurs on granular calcareous soil from glacial river deposits on the Churchill River estuary in northeastern Manitoba. In northeastern Alberta, sweet grass occurs on well-drained loamy soil with heavy clay subsoil; pH is 4.7 near the surface and increases with depth. It occurs on coarse river gravel terraces covered by a 2-inch (5-cm) layer of organic material (pH 6.0) along the McKinley River in south-central Alaska." (2) Soil pH: 8.6-9.0 (strongly alkaline)

(1) http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/graminoid/hieodo/all.html [Cited 2010 February 17]. (2) http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/50020/ [Cited 2010 February 17].

4.11

(1) Perennial grass.

(1) http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?8738,9048,9050 [Cited 2010 February 17].

4.12

Unknown

5.01

(1) Terrestrial.

(1) http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?8738,9048,9050 [Cited 2010 February 17].

5.02

(1) Poaceae.

(1) http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?8738,9048,9050 [Cited 2010 February 17].

5.03

(1) Perennial grass.

(1) http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?8738,9048,9050 [Cited 2010 February 17].

5.04

(1) Raunkeaer life form: hemicrptophyte, geophyte.

(1) http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/graminoid/hieodo/all.html [Cited 2010 February 17].

6.01

No evidence.

6.02

(1) Hierochloe odorata reproduces by seed. It is largely infertile; it produces relatively few seedheads and these contain few seeds.

(1) http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/graminoid/hieodo/all.html [Cited 2010 February 17].

6.03

Unknown

6.04

(1) "The discovery of apospory and apomixis in H. odorata increases the number of tribes of grasses in which these phenomena are encountered to 7." (2) Hierochloe odorata is an apomictic species that has the ability to spread from seed and vegetatively.

(1) Norstog, K. 1963. Apomixis and polyembryony in Hierochloe odorata. American Journal of Botany. 50 (8):815-821. (2) http://books.google.com/books?id=wbeW6_yVJbgC&dq=hierochloe+odorata
+%2B+%22apomixis%22&ots=NWjDhkuUUq&q=hierochloe+odorata [Cited 2010 February 17].

6.05

(1) Poaceae. Wind pollinated.

(1) http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?8738,9048,9050 [Cited 2010 February 17].

6.06

(1) Hierochloe odorata spreads vigorously be creeping rhizomes, which are often fairly deep. (2) Virtually any part of the root will regrow and make a new plant.

(1) http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/graminoid/hieodo/all.html [Cited 2010 February 17]. (2) http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Hierochloe+odorata [Cited 2010 February 17].

6.07

(1) Divide the plant in spring or summer. Virtually any part of the root will regrow and make a new plant.

(1) http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Hierochloe+odorata [Cited 2010 February 17].

7.01

(1) Hierochloe odorata flowers profusely, rarely producing viable seed. The seed have a poor germination rate. [not likely]

(1) http://www.bkejwanong.com/MNFI_SAR/hieodor.pdf [Cited 2010 February 17].

7.02

(1) "The dried leaves are used as an incense, they were formerly also used as a strewing herb and have been used as a stuffing in pillows and mattresses. They have also been used as an insect repellent in the clothes cupboard where they impart a nice smell to the clothes. The leaves are used to make aromatic baskets. The wet leaves can be sewn together, dried until they are tight and then resin used over the stitches to make a waterproof container. The leaves can be soaked in water to make a tonic hair wash. An essential oil distilled from the leaves is used in perfumery where it acts as an excitant and fixative for other aromas. The plant has a very aggressive root system and has been planted to stabilize banks." (2) Seeds and plants are sold by ecoseeds for baskets and braids.

(1) http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Hierochloe+odorata [Cited 2010 February 17]. (2) http://www.ecoseeds.com/sweetgrass.html [Cited 2010 February 18].

7.03

No evidence.

7.04

(1) Fruit: achene-like grain [family description]. (2) Spikelets have 3 florets with awnless lemmas; caryopsis [no adaptation for wind dispersal.]

(1) http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?8738,9048,9050 [Cited 2010 February 17]. (2) http://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_hiod.pdf [Cited 2010 February 18].

7.05

Unknown. (1) "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." [the distribution around water may indicate that the seeds can float].

(1) http://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_hiod.pdf [Cited 2010 February 18].

7.06

(1) Fruit: achene-like grain [family description]. (2) Spikelets have 3 florets with awnless lemmas; caryopsis [no adaptation for bird dispersal.]

(1) http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?8738,9048,9050 [Cited 2010 February 17]. (2) http://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_hiod.pdf [Cited 2010 February 18].

7.07

No method of external attachment.

7.08

Unknown. [Anthoxanthum odoratum's seeds are viable after gut passage.] (1) viable A. odoratum seeds in dung…listed as Animal dispersed (2) Final Germination success of Veronica chamaedrys, Prunella vulgaris, Crepis capillaris and Anthoxanthum odoratum seeds which passed through rabbit guts was significantly higher than of those fed to sheep, cattle [but not A. odoratum], to donkey [ only for C. capillaris] and horse [ only A. odoratum].

(1)Bruun, H.H. and P. Poschlod. 2006. Why are small seeds dispersed through animal guts: large numbers or seed size per se? OIKOS 113: 402 411. (2)Cosyns, E. 2004. Ungulate Seed dispersal. Aspect of endozoochory in a semi-natural landscape. PhD Dissertation. Universiteit Gent.

8.01

(1) Hierochloe odorata reproduces by seed. It is largely infertile; it produces relatively few seedheads and these contain few seeds. (2) Hierochloe odorata flowers profusely, rarely producing viable seed. The seed have a poor germination rate.

(1) http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/graminoid/hieodo/all.html [Cited 2010 February 17]. (2) http://www.bkejwanong.com/MNFI_SAR/hieodor.pdf [Cited 2010 February 17].

8.02

Unknown (1) Hierochloe odorata flowers profusely, rarely producing viable seed. The seed have a poor germination rate.

(1) http://www.bkejwanong.com/MNFI_SAR/hieodor.pdf [Cited 2010 February 17].

8.03

Unknown.

8.04

(1) Hierochloe odorata has creeping rhizomes that are fairly deep and may sprout after the aerial portions are burned. (2) Current research indicates that Hierochloe odorata abundance increases after fire.

(1) http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/graminoid/hieodo/all.html [Cited 2010 February 17]. (2) http://depts.washington.edu/ehuf362/shebitz_final%20article.pdf [Cited 2010 February 17].

8.05

Unknown.