Sweet Vernal Grass - introduced (Anthoxanthum odoratum)

Native to Europe and Asia. Perennial. C3.

Family. Poaceae (Grass family).

Identification:

• it hs a dense spike-like panicle
• the florests have 1 fertile and 2 sterile lemmas
• the glumes are longer than the lemmas
• the leaves are flat
• the ligule is membranous, truncate, and 1-4mm long
• the grass is sweetly scented.

It is uncommon in dry forests. It may be abundant in grasslands, particularly in higher rainfall areas.

The flower cluster is dense and contracted. The spikelets have two sterile or male lemmas below the one fertile (seed-producing) lemma. The two sterile lemmas are hairy. The lower lemma has straight awn from the middle of the back and the upper sterile lemma has a bent awn from near the base. The fertile lemma is without hairs and is not awned.

Anthos: flower (Greek), xanthos: yellow, referring to the yellow colour of the cluster after flowering; odoratum: odoriferus, sweet smelling.