132 SWEET-SCENTED VERNAL GRASS. 



hung up over beds, where it is supposed to induce 

 sleep. 



ALPINE HOLY GRASS (Hierochloa Alpina] is found on 

 mountain-tops in New England and New York, and 

 northward. Panicle contracted, from one to two inches 

 long. Lower leaves narrow. Flowers in July. Of no 

 value for cultivation. 



54 ANTHOXANTHUM. 



Spikelets three-flowered in spiked panicles ; the late- 

 ral flowers neutral, consisting only of one pale, hairy on 

 the outside, and awned on the back. Glumes very thin, 

 acute, keeled, the upper twice the length of the lower, 

 and as long as the flowers. 



SWEET-SCENTED VERNAL GRASS (Anfhoxantlium odo- 

 ratum). Spikelets spreading, three-flowered ; lateral 

 flowers neutral, with one palea, hairy on the outside, and 

 awned on the back ; glumes thin, acute, keeled, the upper 

 twice as long as the lower ; seed ovate, adhering to the 

 palea which encloses it: root perennial. Flowers in 

 May and June. Stems from one and a half to two feet 

 high. Introduced from Europe. It is seen in Fig. 115. 



This is one of the earliest spring grasses, as well as 

 one of the latest in the autumn, and is almost the only 

 grass that is fragrant. It possesses a property said to 

 be peculiar to this species, or possessed by only a few 

 others, known as benzoic acid ; and it is said to be this 

 which not only gives it its own aromatic odor, but 

 imparts it to other grasses with which it is cured. The 

 green leaves when bruised give out this perfume to the 

 fingers, and the plant may thus be known. It possesses 

 but little value of itself, its nutritive properties being 

 slight ; nor is it much relished by stock of any kind; but 

 as a pasture grass, with a large mixture of other species, 

 it is valuable for its early growth. 



