Sweet Vernal-grass

Sweet Vernal-grass 

Anthoxanthum odoratum 

The hill-pasture is a pleasant place
when sweet vernal-grass is blowing, 
its flavour always good to taste
while the summer hayfield’s growing,
filled with essential oil of coumarin, flushed,
its scent strongest when cut or crushed.

photograph: Brinkies Brae, Stromness, Orkney, August