Briza media

Briza media, commonly known as Common Quaking Grass, is a grass with elegant inflorescences which make it a valuable ornamental.

Contents 1 Naming 2 Taxonomy 3 Characteristics 3.1 Growth 3.2 Leaves 3.3 Flowers and Fruit 3.4 Root System 4 Distribution 5 Cultivation 6 Uses 7 Maintenance and Propagation 8 Literature 9 Non-commercial Links

[edit] Naming

Briza media was described in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus. The name is considered as validly published. The common name quaking grass refers to the flowers which start quaking in the slightest breeze.

[edit] Taxonomy

The Common Quaking Grass is a species in the genus Briza (quaking grass) which contains 20 species and belongs to the family of the Poaceae (Grass Family).

[edit] Characteristics

[edit] Growth

The plants grow to a height of approximately 15 to 75 centimeters, sometimes even to one meter. They have a loosely tufted habitus with erect and slender culms.

[edit] Leaves

Briza media is decidious with alternately arranged leaves. They are up to 15 centimeters long and two to seven millimeters wide. The leaves are bluish green and entire, minutely rough margins.

[edit] Flowers and Fruit

The silvery green flowers are often purple tinged and appear from May to September. They are heart-shaped and arranged in loose panicles up to 18 centimeters long. The panicles have a ovate to pyramidal outline and are composed of numerous spikelets that carry four to twelve flowers each. The flowers themselves are nodding to pendant. The inflorescences can be used as cut flowers.

The fruits are caryopses.

[edit] Root System

The plants have short rhizomes and form loose lawns.

[edit] Distribution

Briza media is native to the whole of Europe, Turkey and the Caucasus. It is often found on poor soils in meadows and grasslands.

[edit] Cultivation

The common quaking grass prefers sandy, poor soils in sun or half shade. It tolerates temperatures down to -29°C and grows best in dry to moderately moist, well drained soil.

[edit] Uses

The grasses are well suited for rockeries and moorland plantings. They do well in group plantings as well as in containers. Good companions are e.g. Antennaria dioica, Campanula, Dianthus, Sedum and Thymus.

[edit] Maintenance and Propagation

Cut back the culms in early spring.

Briza media is propagated by dividing the rhizomes in spring or early summer.

[edit] Literature

• Walter Erhardt, Erich Götz, Nils Bödeker, Siegmund Seybold: Der große Zander. Eugen Ulmer KG, Stuttgart 2008, ISBN 978-3-8001-5406-7. (Ger.)
• Christoper Brickell (Editor-in-chief): RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Third edition. Dorling Kindersley, London 2003, ISBN 0-7513-3738-2.
• Briza media at eFloras.org

[edit] Non-commercial Links

More pictures of Briza media in the

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• United States Department of Agriculturees:Briza media

fr:Briza media