Common Australian Garden Weeds

Briza minor

Scientific name: Briza minor L.

Common names: Shivering grass, Lesser quaking grass

Family: Poaceae

Origin:

Native of the Mediterranean region.

Habit:

Annual grass, forms soft loose tufts grow 5-60 cm tall.

Habitat:

Weed of disturbed sites or gardens, preferring sites that are fertile, moist and shady.

General description:

Stems and leavesLigules are membranous, bluntly rounded 3-6 mm long. Leaf blades are linear, gradually narrowing to the tip 1.8-2.2 x 0.2-1 cm. Leaves are slightly rough to touch along margins and near the tips.

Flowers and fruit Inflorescences are open panicles 2-15 cm long. Spikelets are ovate, somewhat triangular, 3-5 mm x 3.5-5 mm, on pedicles 0.5-2.3 cm long. Spikelets tend to hang in a nodding fashion. Seeds are flattened, enclosed within palea and lemma.

Distinguishing characteristics:

A small grass distinguished by its nodding triangular spikelets that 'shiver' in the wind. Can be confused with the much larger Briza maxima (quaking grass), however this species has spikelets greater than 6 mm long.

Noxious status:

Not noxious.

Sources:

Auld, B.A. and Medd, R.W. (1996). Weeds: an illustrated botanical guide to weeds of Australia. Inkata Press, Sydney.

Stanley, T.E. and Ross, E.M. (1983-1989). Flora of South-eastern Queensland. Volume 3. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.