Scented grasses in Norway—identity and uses

AbstractBackgroundSome grass species are richer in coumarin and thus more sweetly scented than others. These have been eagerly sought after in parts of Norway, but the tradition has been weakly documented, both in terms of the species collected, their vernacular names, and uses.MethodsBased on literature data and a substantial body of information collected during my own ethnobotanical field work, artefacts and voucher specimens, the grass species are identified, and their uses clarified.ResultsIn Norwegian literature, the tradition of collecting and using scented grasses has received little attention, and past authors largely refer it toAnthoxanthumspp. The tradition’s concentration to the Sámi strongholds of northernmost Norway, and most authors’ lacking knowledge of the Sámi language, have contributed to the weak and misleading coverage in previous publications. Coumarin-rich grass species are well known in folk tradition in northernmost Norway, asluktegress(Norwegian, “scent grass”),háissasuoidni(North Sámi, “scent grass”),hajuheinä(Finnish, “scent grass”), or similar terms. They have been (and still are) frequently collected, and used as perfume, for storing with clothes, and a number of other purposes. Despite literature records identifying the species used asAnthoxanthum odoratumcoll. (includingA. nipponicum),the main source utilized in North Norway isHierochloë odorata, both ssp.arcticaand ssp.odorata. Anthoxanthum nipponicumandMilium effusumare alternative, but infrequently used sources of material, depending on local tradition and availability.ConclusionBy far the most important grass species hiding behind the “scented grass” tradition in Norway isHierochloë odorata. Anthoxanthum nipponicumis also used, but much less frequently, and only a single record confirms the use ofMilium effusum. Only the foliage ofHierochloëprovides suitable material for making traditional braids. The three major ethnic groups in Norway have all utilized scented grasses as perfume and for storing with clothes, but the tradition’s geographical concentration to the far north of Norway (Finnmark and NE Troms), suggests that it has originally mainly been a Sámi tradition, adopted by their neighbours.