Parts Used |
| Scientific Name | Anthoxanthum odoratum |
| English Name | Sweet vernal grass, holy grass, vanilla grass, buffalo grass. |
| Portuguese Name | Feno-de-cheiro. |
| German Name | Gewöhnliche Ruchgras, Wohlriechendes Ruchgras, kurz Ruchgras. |
| Family | Poaceae |
| Origin | North-western Africa, northern Asia and Europe |
| Habitat | Meadows, forests, pastures and roadsides. |
| Life Cycle | Perennial (but in Portugal is vivacious). |
| Preferences Cultivation | This species prefers soils with sandy surface texture conditions and acidic. |
| Method of propagation | Sowing - the seeds ripen in mid-spring (April). |
| Ornamental Characteristics | Flowering from April to June. H: 0.5 m, ᴓ 0.2 m (but occasionally reaching up to 1 m in height) |
| Description of smells and flavors | Sweet |
| Properties Medicinal | Anticoagulant, antispasmodic, stimulant, headache, nausea, sleeplessness and conditions of the urinary tract. Externally: used in the treatment of rheumatic pain and chilblains. |
| Properties Edibility | Flavoring dishes. The tea made from the fresh or dried leaves is very aromatic and sweet. |
| Properties Other | None |
| Contraindications / Side Effects / Comments | Unknown |
| Pests and diseases & how to fight them | Unknown |
| How and When to harvest and / or pruning and which parts used. How many cuts per year? | Parts used: seeds, flowers and leaves. |
| Can be used in intercropping ( repellent / attractive ) or is biopesticide? | Unknown |
| Curiosity / Personal Experiences | The name “Anthoxanthum” is derived from the Greek: “Anthos” means flower and “xanthos” means yellow. In Russia, sweet vernal grass is used as an ingredient in certain brandies. |
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