Ліатрис

The plant

Deer tongue grass (Carphephorus odoratissimus, syn. Trilisa odoratissima) is a herbaceous perennial of the family Asteraceae. It is native to the southeastern United States, including Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida. It grows up to 180 cm in height. Its flat-topped inflorescence carries many small purplish flower heads. The basal leaves are large, smooth and spatula-like. The plant is largely glabrous. Its leaves are alternate and up to 10 inches long, with stem-clasping leaves diminishing as they ascend the stem. Flowering takes place from July to September. The species has two varieties, var. odoratissimus and var. subtropicanus, the latter found in Central and South Florida. It primarily grows on sandy and well-drained loamy soils. It can be found in oak-pine woodlands on sand ridges within flatwoods, in burned upland longleaf pine-wiregrass communities and in pine-saw palmetto woodlands.

Coumarin

In var. odoratissimus, the vanilla-like odor of the foliage is due to a high (1.6%) content of coumarin, its major aromatic constituent. Coumarin is a lactone of the benzopyrone chemical class. It is a colorless crystalline solid with a sweet odor resembling the scent of vanilla and a bitter taste. Coumarin levels are particularly high in tonka beans, cassia cinnamon, deertongue and sweet woodruff.

—

Related: Ammophila Beach Grass · Gingergrass · Grass · Hay · Nut Grass · Sabah Snake Grass · Sweet Grass