The New International Encyclopædia/Quaking Grass

QUAKING GRASS (Briza). A small genus of mostly European grasses, with loose panicles; drooping, generally broad, compressed spikelets, suspended by delicate stalks, and tremulous in the slightest wind. The panicles are often used in winter bouquets. Briza media is considered a valuable pasture grass for dry situations in Central Europe. It has become sparingly naturalized in the United States. Briza maxima, a larger species, and Briza minor, a smaller one, are similar in habit.