sweet vernalgrass
(Anthoxanthum odoratum)
This species is Introduced in the United States
Origin
Native to acidic grasslands in Eurasia.
Appearance
Anthozanthum odoratum is a perennial or winter annual grass that often produces a noticeable seed head by April or May in many of Virginia's hayfields. A. odoratum gives off a distinctive, sweet-smelling odor when mature.
Foliage
Leaves are rolled in the sheath and may reach 0.4″ (10 mm) in width. Upper and lower leaf surfaces, as well as the leaf margins, usually have short hairs.
Flowers
A brownish-yellow spike that is approximately 0.75-2.75″ (2-7 cm) long and 0.5-0.75″ (1.3-2 cm) wide. Each spike contains many spikelets that are approximately 0.25-0.33″ (6.5-8.5 mm) long.
Fruit
The fruit is a grain. Seedheads develop around April and May and give off a sweet smell.
Ecological Threat
A. odoratum is found in disturbed pastures and meadows.
Native to acidic grasslands in Eurasia.
Appearance
Anthozanthum odoratum is a perennial or winter annual grass that often produces a noticeable seed head by April or May in many of Virginia's hayfields. A. odoratum gives off a distinctive, sweet-smelling odor when mature.
Foliage
Leaves are rolled in the sheath and may reach 0.4″ (10 mm) in width. Upper and lower leaf surfaces, as well as the leaf margins, usually have short hairs.
Flowers
A brownish-yellow spike that is approximately 0.75-2.75″ (2-7 cm) long and 0.5-0.75″ (1.3-2 cm) wide. Each spike contains many spikelets that are approximately 0.25-0.33″ (6.5-8.5 mm) long.
Fruit
The fruit is a grain. Seedheads develop around April and May and give off a sweet smell.
Ecological Threat
A. odoratum is found in disturbed pastures and meadows.
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Invasive Listing Sources
- California Invasive Plant Council
- Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council - Category 3
- Jil M. Swearingen, Survey of invasive plants occurring on National Park Service lands, 2000-2007
- John Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Survey of TNC Preserves, 1995.
- National Park Service, Mid-Atlantic Exotic Plant Management Team Invasive Plant List
- Native Plant Society of Oregon, 2008
- WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder: Lilianae |
| Order: Poales |
| Family: Poaceae |
| Genus: Anthoxanthum |
| Anthoxanthum odoratum |
References
Common Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Scientific Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.