[5][6][7][8] The generic name means 'Yellow flower' in Botanical Latin, referring to the colour of the mature spikelets.

[9] The members of Anthoxanthum are widespread in temperate and subtropical parts of Africa and Eurasia, with a few species in tropical mountains.

Anthoxanthum odoratum is a common species of acidic grassland and bogs in northern Europe.

[10][11] The genus Hierochloe is included in Anthoxanthum by some recent authors.

Most important is Hierochloe; others include Centotheca Crypsis Dichelachne Dimeria Festuca Perotis Saccharum