Briza media

Middle Quaking ( Briza media )

The Middle quaking grass ( Briza media ), also referred to as the ordinary or vulgar Quaking Grass, is a member of the family Gramineae ( Poaceae ) belonging lean grass meadows and pastures. It is mainly characterized by its heart- shaped spikelets and known as an ornamental grass.

Description

The Middle quaking grass is a perennial plant that forms loose grass short, underground rhizomes. It reaches heights of growth between 20 and 100 centimeters. The thin, smooth stems grow upright. The smooth leaf sheaths are closed. The hairless, smooth and rough at the edges of leaf blades wear a thin, short top. You can reach up to 15 centimeters long and 2 to 4 mm width. The ligule is formed as a narrow, 1 to 2 millimeters wider hem.

The inflorescence is a loose, spreading and pyramidal panicle with long, thin and rough Rispenästen. The 3 - to 14- flowered, long -stalked spikelets are 4-7 mm long. They are broadly ovate to heart-shaped and often run red violet.

Ecology

The Middle Quaking is a Hemikryptophyt. The flowers are wind-pollinated and homogam. By air between the caryopses and the husks the fruits have a very low specific weight and can be used as balloonists by the wind. When wet, a spread by animals and as Regenschwemmling is possible.

Distribution and location

The Middle Quaking comes across Europe and temperate Asia, from the plains to the mountains before. It is the only occurring in Germany Zittergrasart.

One finds the Middle Quaking used in lean meadows and pastures. It is a light plant and a Magerkeitszeiger; therefore it disappears on manured ground very quickly. With regard to the type of soil it is otherwise undemanding. It tolerates drought well at times, but is not yet uncompetitive by short-lasting water-logging. In the Alps, it rises up to the tree line.

It is a Klassencharakterart the Molinio - Arrhenatheretea, the companies in the economy grassland.

Endangering

In the Red List of plants of Germany ( Red list of ferns and flowering plants), the Middle Quaking in category " V" ( alarm) is filed.

Use

Briza media is often cultivated as an ornamental grass because of its attractive spikelets. The bottom Grass is eagerly eaten by cattle as hay.