Briza maxima
Common names
large quaking grass
Family
Poaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Exotic
Structural class
Grasses
NVS code
The National Vegetation Survey (NVS) Databank is a physical archive and electronic databank containing records of over 94,000 vegetation survey plots - including data from over 19,000 permanent plots. NVS maintains a standard set of species code abbreviations that correspond to standard scientific plant names from the Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database.
BRIMAX
Conservation status
Not applicable
Simplified description
Rattling seed pods on long stems. These pods are tear-shaped with a distinctive overlapping pattern. They are cream-pale brown to pale green in colour. The seeds are contained in these pods, which are arranged in panicles of up to 30 seed pods. They droop from the narrow stems, which can grow to 45 cm. Briza is a tuft-forming annual with few leaf blades that are a bright green colour. (Ermert and Clapp 1998)
Year naturalised
1867
Origin
S. Europe
Etymology
briza: From Greek brizo ‘to nod’ referring to the nodding motion of the spikelets
Reproduction
Spreads via rhizomes and from seed. (Ermert and Clapp 1998)