Briza is a genus of annual and perennial plants in the grass family, Poaceae, native to northern temperate regions of Eurasia, North Africa, and certain islands in the Atlantic. The group is generally referred to as the quaking grasses because the flowers and seedheads shake on their stalks in the slightest breeze. Some of its members are grown as ornamental plants. Briza species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Coleophora lixella.

Ornamental Grass, Briza maxima, commonly known as Greater Quaking Grass, has blue green leaves and flower heads that hang like scaly heart shaped lockets that are tinged with pink from late spring to mid-summer. This annual Briza prefers richer soil than most grasses and will tolerate semi shade well. Flowering in 10 to 12 weeks from spring sowing, they are very easy to grow to perfection. Briza maxima has graceful, pendant, nodding heads of oval-shaped, pearly-white seed heads. They make a wonderful cut flower adding elegance and feeling to summer and winter decorations. When first open, the seed heads are green but gradually take on golden shades as summer progresses and become almost animated when touched by a gentle summer breeze. Other common names include Big Quaking Grass, Great Quaking Grass, Large Quaking Grass, Blowfly Grass, Rattlesnake Grass, Shelly Grass and Shell Grass