or vernal-grass: A genus of the digynia order, belonging to the diandra class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 4th order, Graminae. The essential characters are: The calyx is a bivalved gluma, with one flower; the corolla is bivalved, obtuse, and without any awn.

There are three species of anthoxanthum: viz., the odoratum, or spring-grass, a native of Britain; the indicum, a native of India; and the paniculatum, a native of the southern parts of Europe. The odoratum is one of the earliest spring grasses, and is extremely common in our fertile pastures. The delightful smell of new-mown hay is chiefly from this plant. Cows, horses, sheep, and goats eat it.