Order GRAMINEHA 
Genus Hierochloe, Gmelin. 
Sub-Order Phalaride^e. 
2.—HIEROCHLOE ALPINA. 
THE HOLY GRASS. 
{Plate Eli.) 
Hierochloe borealis, Schroeder. 
Holcus odoratus, Linnaeus. 
Hierochloe odorata, Koch. 
Hierochloe borealis, Rcem. and Schultes. Hook, fil., FI. N.Z., I., 300; FI. Tasm., II., 108. 
Hierochloe alpina, Roem. and Schultes. Hook, hi., Handb. N.Z. Flora, I., 322. 
A slender sub-alpine grass, ascending to 3500 feet. Flowers December—February. Perennial. Roots 
fibrous, creeping. Stems 1—2 feet high. Leaves 4—8 inches long, smooth, flat; ligule long or short, 
obtuse, serrate. Panicle ovate, 2—4 inches long, branches few, capillary. IS'pikelets Finch long and 
broad, shining. Empty glumes large, acute or slightly obtuse, 3-nerved. Flowering glume pubescent, 
margins long-ciliate, 5-nerved; awn variable in length and position, usually inserted above the middle 
in the staminiferous, and in the fertile floret very short and terminal. Palea obtuse, 2-nerved in the 
staminiferous florets, and 1-nerved in the fertile. Scales narrow-lanceolate, ciliate and bifid at top, and 
often united as one by the lower margins on one side only. Stamens 3. Anthers long. Ovary 
glabrous, narrow, acute. Styles short, connate at the base. Stigmas penicillate. Grain oblong-ovate, 
narrowed at both ends. Distribution of Species; SCOTLAND, NORWAY, SWEDEN, 
LAPLAND, ICELAND, ITALY, FRANCE, GERMANY, KAMTSCHATKA, ALASKA. 
AUSTRALIA, TASMANIA, NEW ZEALAND. 
This species, according to Sir J. Hooker, is identical with H. borealis, or the “ Holy grass ” of the 
Northern Hemisphere. It is very sweet scented, the odour being very similar to that of the previous 
species. Much historical interest is attached to this species in some parts of Europe, from a long- 
prevailing custom of strewing it before churches on certain festivals. In Sweden it is hung over 
beds, in the belief that it induces sleep; and in Iceland it is used to scent the clothes and apartments of 
the inhabitants. According to Cuthbert W. Johnson, its nutritive qualities are greater than in most 
of the early spring grasses; but, from the paucity of its foliage, it cannot be recommended in 
agriculture. From this opinion it may be concluded that this species will be valuable in the sub- 
alpine pastures of New Zealand as an early and nutritious food, and, from its small growth, be well 
adapted for sheep. Distribution in New Zealand ; NORTH ISLAND : RUAHINE 
MOUNTAINS —Colenso. SOUTH ISLAND; NELSON—Monro, Travers; HOPKINS 
RIVER, 2000—3500 feet altitude—Haast; OTAGO LAKE DISTRICT, 3000 feet altitude— 
Hector and Buchanan. 
Reference to Plate VII.: Fig. 1. Plant. 2. Spikelet. 3. Florets with empty glumes removed, 
4, 4. Nervation of empty glumes. 5. Nervation of staminiferous flowering glumes. 6. Nervation of 
Palea (staminiferous). 7. Nervation of fertile flowering glume. 8. Nervation of Palea (fertile). 
9. Scales (staminiferous florets). 10. Scale (fertile floret), n. Ovary. 
