anthoxanthum

[In Sp. & Ital. antoxanto; Gr. ἄνθος (anthos)= a flower, and ξανθός ( xanthos ) = yellow, because the flowers pikes are yellowish, especially when old.] A genus of plants belonging to the order Graminacese, or Gra es. It has but two stamina, whereas three is all but the universal number among gra es. The A. odoratum, or Sweet scented Vernal Gra , is very common in Britain, flowering in May and June. The sweet scent is more conspicuous when the plant is dying than when it is fresh. It has been attributed to benzoic acid.