Anthoxanthum nipponicum

Description

Anthoxanthum odaoratum grass grows in tufts with stems 25-40 cm (9.8-15.7 in) tall, and short, broad green leaves 3-5 mm (0.12-0.20 in) wide, which are slightly hairy. It flowers from April until June, i.e. quite early in the season, with flower spikes of 4-6 centimetres (1.6-2.4 in) long and crowded spikelets of 6-10 mm (0.24-0.39 in), oblong shaped, which can be quite dark when young. The lower lemmas have projecting awns.The ligules are quite long, up to 5 mm (0.20 in), blunt, with hairy fringes around the side.The scent is particularly strong when dried, and is due to coumarin, a glycoside, and benzoic acid - it smells like fresh hay with a hint of vanilla. The seed head is bright yellow in color.It avoids very dry or waterlogged soil.Anthoxanthum odoratum may be starting parapatric speciation in areas of mine contamination