How to identify Sweet vernal grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum)

How to identify Sweet vernal grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum)

Sweet vernal grass, also known as Sweet grass

Sweet vernal grass demonstrates a robust vitality as an evergreen, cool-season grass, presenting a bunch-forming habit. Its slender stems can reach heights of up to 2 feet (60 cm), and are complemented by narrow leaves with a smooth, glossy texture. A distinct quality of sweet vernal grass is its ability to emit a pleasant fragrance, often intensified when the foliage is newly crushed or cut. The plant flaunts a modest green hue that persists through various seasons, and after a period of acclimatization, it reveals an impressive resilience to water scarcity. Sweet vernal grass has the potential to propagate itself through self-seeding, signaling a certain degree of independence once established.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Grass

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Sweet vernal grass

Slender stems reaching up to 2 feet (60 cm) in height.

Narrow, linear leaves with a smooth, glossy texture.

Pleasant fragrance emitted when foliage is crushed.

Modest green hue persisting through various seasons.

Ability to self-seed and thrive in water-scarce environments.

Detailed Traits of Sweet vernal grass

Leaf Features

Sweet vernal grass features dense tufts of spiky-looking yet soft leaves. Each leaf is generally linear to lanceolate, measuring approximately 3-6 inches (7-15 cm) in length and 0.1-0.25 inches (0.2-0.6 cm) in width. The leaves are a vibrant green, smooth on both surfaces, and have a notable cut clover scent when crushed. Dried leaves retain their fragrance well, making them distinctive. The vein pattern is parallel, characteristic of many grass species.

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Flower Features

The flowers of sweet vernal grass feature slender spikes that bloom in spring. Each inflorescence transforms from a dry appearance to a golden brown hue. They are typically small and compact, with minute, translucent petals arranged in a densely-packed, spike-like structure. The flowers emit a subtly sweet fragrance. Blooming typically occurs from late spring to early summer, enhancing meadows with their distinctive color and scent. The spike measures approximately 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) in length.

Learn About the Flower Glossary

A Botanist in Your Pocket

Scan QR code to download

More Plants You May Like and How to Identify Them

Cape jasmine

Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.

Golden pothos

The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.

Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.

Pepper

The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.

Swiss cheese plant

The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.

Bigleaf hydrangea

The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.

Identify Sweet vernal grass easily and quickly

We're also capable of identifying over 12,000 types of plants, flowers, succulents, and trees in your surroundings.

Identify a Plant Online

Key Facts About Sweet vernal grass

Attributes of Sweet vernal grass

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Grass

Plant Height

30 cm to 91 cm

Spread

30 cm to 60 cm

Leaf Color

Green

Yellow

Red

Orange

Stem Color

Green

Red

Yellow

Blue

Orange

Black

Leaf type

Deciduous

Identify plants with a snap

Instantly identify plants with AI: Snap a photo, and get accurate results within seconds.

Download the App for Free

Scientific Classification of Sweet vernal grass

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Monocotyledons

Order

Grasses, sedges and allies

Family

Grass

Genus

Hornworts

Species

Sweet vernal grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum)

Learn More About the Sweet vernal grass

Distribution Map of Sweet vernal grass

The geographical presence of sweet vernal grass spans across continents, with its native habitat including parts of Europe, Asia, and North Africa. It has also found its way to both Americas and Oceania. While naturalized in many regions, it is sometimes thought to be invasive in certain areas, where it may have an impact on local ecosystems. Specifically, sweet vernal grass is considered invasive in New Zealand, necessitating management to mitigate its potential effects.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Sweet vernal grass

A Comprehensive Guide to Sweet vernal grass How to Grow and Care for Sweet vernal grass