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Northern Sweetgrass

Hierochloe hirta

Also listed as Anthoxanthum hirtum

In the Carolinas and Georgia, found in fens, wet calcareous meadows, high elevation pastures and openings, saltmarsh edges (DE). Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Carolinas & Georgia edition What its natural habitat tells you

8
Modest

Native to Arkansas (estimated). How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 71%

Height
Up to about 4 feet
Light
Full sun
Soil moisture
Moist to wet
Will it fit your yard?

At a glance

Life cycle
Perennial
Bloom
April to August

Not yet recorded · Spread · Leaves

County records are not available.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

1 of 2

Meadows

Open, grassy or flowery ground that is not wet, such as mountain meadows; wet meadows are separate.

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

0CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including AR
0BeesSoutheastern regional records
0Specialist beesPollen specialists
—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

No records yet · Ants · Beetles · Flies · Adult butterflies / moths · Other wasps · Other insects

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Poaceae
Flower color
White, green or brown

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Anthoxanthum hirtum; Hairy Holygrass; Sweetgrass; Vanilla Grass

Conservation status

Arkansas rankSNR
Global rankG5
AR statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

In your garden

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How to check your spot

Sources