Briza, commonly known as quaking grasses, is a genus of annual and perennial grasses in the family Poaceae (order Poales). The genus is native to northern temperate regions of Eurasia and North Africa, with representatives extending to the Azores, Madeira, and the Canary Islands. The name "quaking grass" refers to the distinctive behaviour of the flattened, heart-shaped or ovate spikelets, which tremble and shimmer on extremely slender, thread-like pedicels in the gentlest breeze, creating an ornamental trembling effect that makes the genus instantly recognisable.
The genus in its current circumscription comprises a small core of species — among them the well-known Briza maxima (greater quaking grass), Briza media (common quaking grass), and Briza minor (lesser quaking grass). These three span much of the Mediterranean basin and temperate Eurasia and have been widely naturalised across Australia, the Americas, New Zealand, and other oceanic regions. Historically, Briza was treated much more broadly; over 100 species once assigned to it have since been moved to other genera including Chascolytrum, Poa, Glyceria, and Eragrostis based on molecular and morphological revisions.
Several species, especially B. maxima and B. media, are cultivated as ornamental grasses in gardens and are popular in dried-flower arrangements because the spikelets retain their shape and movement when dried. The genus also has ecological significance: Briza species serve as larval food plants for certain moths, including Coleophora lixella.
Etymology
The common name "quaking grass" refers directly to the trembling motion of the pendant spikelets on their hair-fine pedicels, which quiver in even the slightest breeze. The Latin genus name Briza derives from the ancient Greek briza (βρίζα), a word used for a type of grain, adopted by Linnaeus when he formally described the genus.
Distribution
Briza is native to northern temperate Eurasia, North Africa, and the Macaronesian islands (Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands). Briza maxima and Briza minor have become widely naturalised across parts of Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and North and South America. Briza media is naturalised in New Zealand and parts of North America.
Cultivation
Briza maxima and Briza media are widely grown as ornamental grasses in temperate gardens, valued for their trembling, papery spikelets. They are also harvested for dried-flower arrangements, where the spikelets hold their decorative shape after cutting and drying. Both annuals and perennials in the genus are generally easy to grow in well-drained soils in full sun.
