SafePlants

Sweet Vernal Grass: An Aromatic Meadow Dweller

Sweet vernal grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum) is a perennial grass known for its distinctive sweet scent, particularly noticeable when crushed or dried. It's often found in grasslands and meadows, adding its fragrance to the air.

Considerations for Pets

• The plant contains coumarins, which give it its scent.

Considerations for Children

• The plant has pointed leaf blades.

Scientific Name and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Anthoxanthum odoratum L.
• Common Names: Sweet vernal grass, holy grass, vanilla grass, buffalo grass, scented vernal grass, spring grass, sweet vernal
• Family: Poaceae or Gramineae (Grass Family)

Distribution and Habitat

• Common in a wide variety of habitats, most frequently acidic grasslands and meadows.
• Found wild in acidic environments.

Ecological Role

• Can be a weed in pastures, hay fields, roadsides, and ditches.
• Shows a remarkable ability to genetically adapt to different environmental conditions.

Morphological Characteristics

• Short, loosely tufted perennial grass.
• Tufted stems usually 30 to 60cm.
• Tufted grass 10 to 40 cm tall with pointed leaf blades, 1.5 to 5 mm wide.
• Panicles spread out in flower, but close in fruit.
• Spikelets are 6 to 10 mm long, with hairy.
• Early flowering, between April and July.
• Dense clusters of flowers form cylindrical shapes.
• Has visible white hairs at the base of the leaves, a useful identification feature.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Its coumarin content is an allelopathic compound.

Quirky Facts

• Sweet vernal grass has long been regarded as the best grass for chewing due to the sweet taste of the centre stem.
• Walking through a stand of sweet vernal grass may stir up enough of the smell to be detectable, or sniffing the crushed leaves.

Additional Information

• Gives the characteristic smell to new mown hay.
• In Europe known as a spice, sweet vernal grass is a renowned medicinal plant in aroma therapy and ayurveda.