Anthoxanthum odoratum |
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sweet vernalgrass |
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Habit | Tufted perennial, the culms 1-3 dm. tall, erect and hollow. |
Leaves | Sheaths open, usually glabrous; ligules 2-3 mm. long, membranous; blades flat, 3-7 mm. broad, with a few hairs up to 2 mm. long near the base. |
Flowers | Inflorescence a narrow, tawny, congested panicle 2-9 cm. long; spikelets 3-flowered, the lower 2 empty lemmas; articulation above the glumes; auricles well-developed; glumes unequal, acute, the first 4-5 mm. long, 1-nerved, the second 8-10 mm. long, 3-nerved; sterile lemmas subequal, narrow, about 3 mm. long, pubescent, the first awned from above mid-length in the back, the awn 3 mm. long, the second awned from well below midlength, the awn 7-10 mm. long, twisted and bent; fertile lemma firm, brown, glabrous, 2 mm. long; palea equal to the fertile lemma; lodicules lacking. |
Fruits | Single-seed grain (caryopsis). |
Anthoxanthum odoratum |
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Identification notes | Roots and crushed foliage often producing a fragrance similar to fresh hay with a hint of vanilla. |
Flowering time | April-July |
Habitat | Roadsides, fields, meadows, prairies, balds, lawns, and other disturbed open areas at low elevations. |
Distribution | Occurring chiefly west of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east to the Rocky Mountains, southern Great Plains, and eastern North America.
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Origin | Introduced from Europe |
Conservation status | Not of concern |
Sibling taxa | |
Web links |
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