sweet vernal grass
ExplorePlants
sweet vernal grass
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Sweet vernal grass is a lovely green plant that grows in fields and meadows. It has a sweet smell, especially when it blooms in spring, making it a favorite among butterflies and bees!
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The sweet vernal grass has slender, upright stems and flat, narrow leaves. It features a pale green, sometimes purplish, compact flower spike, or panicle, which is its most distinctive visual characteristic. This makes it visually different from many other grasses.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassLiliopsidaOrderPoalesFamilyPoaceaeGenusAnthoxanthum
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Farmers sometimes call its pleasant scent the "smell of summer hay"!
It's one of the very first grasses to flower in spring, often in April!
Its wonderful sweet smell comes from a special chemical called coumarin!
This grass's scientific name, "odoratum," means fragrant in Latin!
Special abilities
Ability
Sweet Scent Shield
Sweet vernal grass produces coumarin, which gives it a sweet smell but also deters some herbivores from eating too much.
Ability
Spring Sprouter
Sweet vernal grass can grow and flower early in the spring, allowing it to grab sunlight before taller plants emerge.
Ability
Airborne Pollen
This grass releases its pollen into the wind, letting the breeze carry it to other plants for reproduction.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 20-60 cm
- Spread
- 10-30 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.6-1 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late spring to early summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Wind
Ecological connections
Traits
Aromatic
Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Biennial
Biennial plants complete their life cycle over two growing seasons, typically forming foliage in the first year and flowering/seeding in the second.
Grass-Like
Grass-like plants are herbaceous plants that visually resemble true grasses, typically having long, narrow leaves.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always stay on paths when exploring fields and be careful not to pick too many plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is sweet vernal grass?
20-60 cm
How wide does sweet vernal grass spread?
10-30 cm
How big are the flowers on sweet vernal grass?
0.6-1 cm
When does sweet vernal grass bloom?
Late spring to early summer
Is sweet vernal grass edible?
No
Is sweet vernal grass toxic?
Mild
What is sweet vernal grass's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is sweet vernal grass pollinated?
Wind
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