Sweet Vernal-grass

Photo © Keith Robson
May 1989 Sunniside, Gateshead, Co. Durham, UK

Very common in grassland, moorland, roadsides, rough ground, etc, tolerating a wide variety of soil types.
Stems c 25-40 cm tall. Spike c 4-6 cm long. Spikelets c 6-10 mm long. Leaves c 3-5 mm wide.
ID: Spikelets all crowded round the stem. Spikelets narrow with hairs up one edge but not the other
Other features: Has scent of new-mown hay. Flowers early in the year. Each spikelet has 2 sterile flowers and 1 fertile flower with 2 stamens.

Gateshead Birders