Briza maxima L.
large quaking grass
Annual loose tufts or solitary shoots, (18)-25-65-(90) cm. Leaf-sheath papery, glabrous, finely ribbed, light green, light brown or purplish. Ligule 2-4-(5) mm, glabrous, denticulate, centrally tapered. Leaf-blade (2.2)-5-23 cm × 2-8 mm, thin, flat, finely ribbed, gradually tapered to fine acicular tip, abaxially occasionally sparsely prickle-toothed on ribs, adaxially ribs usually finely scaberulous; margins finely scaberulous. Culm (12)-20-50 cm, erect or geniculate at base, internodes glabrous. Panicle (2.2)-4-13-(16) cm, secund, nodding, of 1-12, rarely to 18, papery spikelets; branches few, sparsely scabrid, pedicels filiform, 0.5-2-(3) cm. Spikelets 1-2-(2.5) × 0.6-1.5 cm, 8-15-flowered, silvery, light green to golden-brown, often dark purplish at base. Glumes subequal, 5-6-(6.6) mm, (5)-7-9-nerved, spreading, firmly membranous, concave, suborbicular, smooth, often purplish. Lemma 6.5-8.5 mm, 7-9-(11)-nerved, centrally hardened and concave, glabrous, base cordate, sometimes with minute glandular hairs especially on auricle-like extensions, and appressed fine hairs on broad, firmly membranous margins, apex subacute. Palea 3-4 mm, to ⅔ length of lemma, orbicular, keels finely winged and densely short-ciliate, interkeel glabrous. Lodicules (1)-2-3 mm, lanceolate, obtuse. Anthers 1.5-2 mm. Gynoecium: ovary c. 1 mm; stigma-styles 2 mm. Caryopsis 2.5-3 × 1.5-2 mm; embryo 0.7-1 mm; hilum linear, 1.2-1.5 mm.
N.: scattered; S.: near Nelson City, Canterbury (near Rangiora, near Christchurch and at Akaroa), Westland (Knights Point), Otago (near Dunedin); St.; Ch. Often near the coast on roadsides and sandy or shingly waste land.
Naturalised from south Europe.
