Anthoxanthum aristatum Boiss.

Annual Vernal Grass; Small Sweet Vernal Grass

Herb

Annual

Vascular

Small Sweet Vernal Grass is an introduced annual in the Grass family (Poaceae). It is native to North Africa and southern Europe. It Alabama it has been found in the central and northern parts of the state. Small Sweet Vernal Grass occurs on roadsides, in ditches, in fields and pastures, and in lawns. It is a winter annual with a fibrous root system. All parts of the plants have a sweet odor when bruised or cut. Plants germinate in the early spring and have produced seed and died by early summer. The plants occur in bunches that are branched from the base. The culms (stems) are erect or ascending. Plants are from 12-18 inches in height. Leaves are alternate, linear to lanceolate in outline, with entire margins. The leaves are from 1-4 inches in length, and slightly pubescent. Flowers are produced in spikelets arranged in a panicle. The panicles are terminal. The spikelets contain 2-3 florets, with the lower 1-2 being sterile and the upper floret being bisexual. The florets are concealed by the glumes. The fruit is a grain. Small Sweet Vernal Grass is not a common species in Alabama or in North America.--A. Diamond

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Not Native

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