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Briza (From briza to nod Quaking)

(from briza, to nod). Quaking Grass. ORD. Gramineae. A genus of ornamental hardy Grasses. Panicle loose; calyx two-valved; corolla two-valved, awnless; exterior one ventricose, interior small and flat. Fruit adnate with the corolla. These extremely graceful plants delight in a soil composed of loam, leaf soil, and peat. Seeds may be sown in spring or autumn. For decorative purposes, the branches should be gathered as soon as full grown, and loosely placed in flower-stands, to dry. Tufts of these plants look extremely pretty on the rockery, or amongst hardy Ferns. B. gracilis (graceful). A synonym of B. minor.

B. maxima (greatest).* fl., spikelets oblong-cordate, thirteen to seventeen-flowered; panicle nodding at the end. June and July. l. long-linear, acuminate. h. 1 1/2ft. South Europe, 1633. Annual.

B. media (middle).* Common Quaking Grass. fl., spikelets broadly ovate, of about seven florets (calyx shorter than the florets), tremulous with the slightest breeze, very smooth, shining purple. Branches of the panicle thread-shaped, divaricating, purple. June l. short, linear acuminate. h. 1ft. Britain. Perennial. (S. E. B. 1774.) B. minima (least). A synonym of B. minor.

B. minor (small).* Little Quaking Grass. fl., spikelets triangular, seven-flowered; glumes longer than the flowers; panicle with hair-like branches. June and July. l. pale green, short, narrow. h. 8in. England (but very rare). An exceedingly pretty little annual grass. SYNS. B. gracilis and B. minima. (S. E. B. 1775.

B. spicata (spiked). A recent introduction from Brazil, described as being very graceful and quite distinct, having erect spikes about 8in. in height.