Anthoxanthum aristatum

Tufted, coumarin-scented annual; culms to 60 cm high, usually branched several times. Leaves glabrous to sparsely hairy, smooth; sheath commonly inflated; blade flat, to 12 cm long and 1–5 mm wide; ligule acute, 1–3 mm long. Inflorescence a loose to moderately dense, spike-like panicle, 1–5 cm long; lower glume ovate, 2.5–4 mm long, acute, glabrous, upper glume lanceolate, 5.5–6.5 mm long; sterile lemmas 2.5–3 mm long, oblong, broadest near the apex, truncate, shallowly notched, covered in the lower part by fine appressed hairs, the awn of the lower straight, 2–3 mm long, inserted just above midway, the awn of the upper stouter and dark, geniculate, 5–8 mm long, inserted near base; fertile lemma c. 1.5 mm long, ovate; palea equal to lemma. Flowers Dec.–Jan.