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Small Sweet-grass

Glyceria declinata

Glyceria declinata Glyceria declinata

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
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Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Poales
Family:
Poaceae (Grass)
Also in this family:
Alpine Catstail, Alpine Foxtail, Alpine Meadow-grass, Annual Beard-grass, Annual Meadow-grass, Arrow Bamboo, Barren Brome Grass, Bearded Couch Grass, Bearded Fescue, Bermuda Grass, Black Bent, Black Grass, Blue Fescue, Blue Moor-grass, Bog Hair-grass, Borrer's Saltmarsh Grass, Bread Wheat, Bristle Bent, Brown Bent, Brown Sedge, Bulbous Foxtail, Bulbous Meadow-grass, California Brome Grass, Canary Grass, Carnation Sedge, Cocksfoot, Cockspur, Common Bent, Common Cord-grass, Common Millet, Common Reed, Common Saltmarsh Grass, Compact Brome Grass, Corn, Couch Grass, Creeping Bent, Creeping Soft-grass, Crested Dog's-tail, Crested Hair-grass, Cultivated Oat, Curved Hard Grass, Cut Grass, Dense Silky Bent, Downy Oat-grass, Drooping Brome Grass, Drooping Tor Grass, Dune Fescue, Early Hair-grass, Early Meadow-grass, Early Sand-grass, False Brome Grass, False Oat-grass, Fern Grass, Fine-leaved Sheep's Fescue, Flattened Meadow-grass, Floating Sweet-grass, Foxtail Barley, French Oat, Giant Fescue, Glaucous Meadow-grass, Great Brome Grass, Greater Quaking Grass, Grey Hair-grass, Hairy Brome Grass, Hairy Finger-grass, Hard Fescue, Hard Grass, Harestail Grass, Heath Grass, Holy Grass, Hybrid Marram Grass, Italian Rye Grass, Knotroot Bristlegrass, Lesser Hairy Brome Grass, Lesser Quaking Grass, Loose Silky Bent, Lyme Grass, Marram Grass, Marsh Foxtail, Mat Grass, Mat-grass Fescue, Meadow Barley, Meadow Fescue, Meadow Foxtail, Meadow Oat-grass, Mountain Melick, Narrow-leaved Meadow-grass, Narrow-leaved Small-reed, Neglected Couch Grass, Nit Grass, Orange Foxtail, Pampas Grass, Perennial Rye Grass, Plicate Sweet-grass, Purple Moor-grass, Purple Small-reed, Purple-stem Catstail, Quaking Grass, Ratstail Fescue, Red Fescue, Reed Canary Grass, Reed Sweet-grass, Reflexed Saltmarsh Grass, Rescue Grass, Rough Meadow-grass, Rush-leaved Fescue, Sand Catstail, Sand Couch Grass, Scandinavian Small-reed, Scottish Small-reed, Sea Barley, Sea Couch Grass, Sea Fern Grass, Sheep's Fescue, Silver Hair-grass, Six-rowed Barley, Slender Brome Grass, Small Cord-grass, Smaller Catstail, Smooth Brome Grass, Smooth Cord-grass, Smooth Finger-grass, Smooth Meadow-grass, Soft Brome Grass, Somerset Hair-grass, Sorghum, Spreading Meadow-grass, Squirreltail Fescue, Stiff Brome Grass, Stiff Saltmarsh Grass, Sweet Vernal Grass, Tall Fescue, Timothy Grass, Tor Grass, Tufted Hair-grass, Two-rowed Barley, Upright Brome Grass, Velvet Bent, Viviparous Fescue, Wall Barley, Wavy Hair-grass, Wavy Meadow-grass, Whorl Grass, Wild Oat, Wood Barley, Wood Fescue, Wood Meadow-grass, Wood Melick, Wood Millet, Yellow Oat-grass, Yorkshire Fog
Type:
Flower
Life Cycle:
Perennial
Maximum Size:
90 centimetres tall
Habitats:
Ditches, fields, gardens, marshes, meadows, mud, mudflats, ponds, riverbanks, riversides, swamps, water, waterside, wetland.

Flower:
֍
Green, no petals
 
Green spikelets between 10 and 25mm in length. 3 stamens. 2 stigmas.
Fruit:
The fruit is a caryopsis, as with all grass species.
Leaves:
Broad, bluish-green, smooth, linear leaves, up to 1cm wide.
Other Names:
Creeping Mannagrass, Waxy Mannagrass.
Frequency (UK):
Common  

Similar Species

Italian Rye Grass
Italian Rye Grass

Floating Sweet-grass

Plicate Sweet-grass

Other Information

Summary

Glyceria declinata, also known as creeping mannagrass, is a species of grass in the Poaceae family. It is native to North America, and can be found in wetland habitats such as marshes, swamps, and along the banks of streams and rivers. Unlike G. maxima, G. declinata is a low-growing plant that forms dense mats along the ground. It has narrow, flat leaves and spikes of greenish-purple flowers. G. declinata is commonly used for erosion control and as a decorative plant in gardens. It is also used as forage for livestock, and as a food source for waterfowl and other wildlife.

Blog

Small sweet-grass, also known as Glyceria declinata, is a plant that is native to North America. It is a type of grass that can be found in wetlands, marshes, and along streams and riverbanks. This plant is known for its sweet scent, which is released when the grass is crushed or broken.

Small sweet-grass is a perennial plant, which means that it comes back year after year. It can grow up to 3 feet tall, and has thin, wiry stems. The leaves of the plant are long and narrow, with a pointed tip, and they grow in a clump around the stem. The flowers of small sweet-grass are small and inconspicuous, and they grow in clusters at the top of the stem.

Small sweet-grass is an important plant in wetland ecosystems, as it helps to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion. It also provides habitat and food for a variety of animals, including insects, birds, and small mammals. The seeds of small sweet-grass are an important food source for waterfowl, such as ducks and geese.

One of the most notable features of small sweet-grass is its sweet scent. The grass contains a chemical compound called coumarin, which is responsible for the sweet aroma. Coumarin is used in the fragrance industry to create scents that resemble vanilla, tonka bean, and new-mown hay.

Small sweet-grass has also been used by humans for medicinal purposes. The plant contains a compound called glycerol, which has been found to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. The plant has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including arthritis, headaches, and fever.

In addition to its medicinal uses, small sweet-grass has been used by indigenous peoples for a variety of purposes. The Cherokee people used the plant to make a tea that was used to treat fever and other illnesses. The Iroquois people used small sweet-grass to make a sweet-smelling sachet that was worn around the neck to ward off evil spirits.

Small sweet-grass is a fascinating plant with a variety of uses and benefits. From its sweet scent and important role in wetland ecosystems to its medicinal properties and use in traditional indigenous practices, this plant has a rich and storied history. It is a reminder of the many ways in which nature can provide us with both beauty and practical benefits.

Here are a few more interesting facts about small sweet-grass:

  • Small sweet-grass is also known as "manna grass" because of its sweet scent and the belief that it was the manna referred to in the Bible.
  • The plant is able to grow in waterlogged soils because it has a unique root system that is adapted to these conditions. The roots of small sweet-grass can grow up to 6 feet deep in the soil, which helps to anchor the plant and absorb nutrients.
  • In some parts of the world, small sweet-grass is considered a noxious weed because it can take over wetland habitats and crowd out other plant species. However, in North America, it is an important part of the natural ecosystem.
  • Small sweet-grass has been used in landscaping and restoration projects to help stabilize soil and prevent erosion. The plant is often used in wetland restoration projects because of its ability to grow in wet soils.
  • In addition to its coumarin content, small sweet-grass also contains other chemical compounds that may have medicinal properties. For example, the plant contains flavonoids, which are antioxidants that have been found to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
  • Small sweet-grass is a popular food source for livestock, particularly in areas where other grasses are scarce. Cows and sheep enjoy eating the sweet stems and leaves of the plant.
  • Finally, small sweet-grass is a beautiful and graceful plant that can add interest and texture to a garden or landscape. Its long, slender leaves and delicate flowers make it an attractive addition to a wetland garden or other naturalistic planting.

Small sweet-grass is an important plant in wetland ecosystems, and its ability to grow in wet soils makes it an ideal species for stabilizing soil and preventing erosion. The plant's long, wiry stems and deep-rooted system help to anchor the soil in place, while its dense clumps of leaves provide a protective layer that can absorb water and prevent runoff. In addition, small sweet-grass is able to tolerate fluctuating water levels, making it a valuable species for areas that experience periodic flooding.

Beyond its ecological benefits, small sweet-grass is also a popular food source for a variety of animals, including waterfowl, livestock, and small mammals. The plant's sweet-tasting stems and leaves are a favorite food of ducks and geese, while cows and sheep enjoy grazing on the plant in areas where other grasses are scarce. The seeds of small sweet-grass are also an important food source for a variety of small mammals, including voles and shrews.

Small sweet-grass has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. The plant contains a compound called glycerol, which has been found to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. The plant has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including arthritis, headaches, and fever. The Cherokee people used the plant to make a tea that was used to treat fever and other illnesses, while the Iroquois people used small sweet-grass to make a sweet-smelling sachet that was worn around the neck to ward off evil spirits.

Small sweet-grass also has cultural significance for many indigenous peoples. In addition to its medicinal uses, the plant has been used in traditional ceremonies and as a symbol of renewal and growth. For example, the Ojibwe people use small sweet-grass as part of their medicine wheel ceremony, which is a ritual that celebrates the cycles of life and the four cardinal directions. The plant is also used in some indigenous communities as a symbol of resilience and the ability to thrive in difficult conditions.

In summary, small sweet-grass is a valuable and versatile plant with a rich history and many uses. Whether it's stabilizing soil in wetland ecosystems, providing food for animals, or offering medicinal benefits, this plant is an important part of the natural world. Its sweet scent and delicate appearance also make it a beautiful addition to gardens and landscapes. As we continue to learn more about the many benefits of small sweet-grass, we can appreciate its contributions to both our environment and our well-being.

Distribution Map

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

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