Greater Quaking Grass

Briza maxima

Plant Data

Order:

Poales

Family:

Poaceae (Grass)

Type:

Flower

Flowering Months:

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Flower:

Green, no petals

Ornamental. Large pale green hanging spikelets reaching 2.5cm long and consisting of up to 12 segmented florets. Later turning gold with maturity.

Fruit:

One-sided dry seed (caryopsis).

Leaves:

The flat, linear leaves are clumped together in compact tufts.

Maximum Size:

1 metre tall

Foraging Notes:

The leaves and seeds are both edible.
Never consume a wild plant unless you are 100% certain that it is safe to eat and you know that you have identified it correctly.

Other Names:

Big Quaking Grass, Blowfly Grass, Great Quaking Grass, Great Shivery Grass, Greater Quaking Grass, Large Quaking Grass, Nodding-Isabel, Pearl Grass, Puffed Wheat, Rattle Grass, Rattlesnake Grass, Shell Grass, Shelly Grass.

Frequency (UK):

Occasionally seen

Habitats:

Gardens, grassland, heathland, roadsides, seaside, wasteland, waterside, woodland.