Briza maxima (big quaking grass, rattlesnake grass)

Briza maxima

Photo courtesy Joseph DiTomaso

Briza maxima (big quaking grass, rattlesnake grass) is a winter annual grass (family Poaceae) and is located throughout the coastal ranges of California. It is, on occasion, grown for its ornamental panicles but has spread into many grassland regions where it can be the dominant species.

Cal-IPC Inventory rating: Limited

Cal-IPC Resources on Briza maxima

• California Invasive Plant Inventory Assessment Form (pdf) - Information gathered by Cal-IPC on the impacts, rate of spread, and distribution of invasive plants in California. Does not include management information.
• Cal-IPC News - Articles from our quarterly newsletter. (None for this species.)
• Cal-IPC Symposium Proceedings - Presentations and papers from our annual Symposium. List of articles on Briza maxima.
• California distribution map - Maps based on survey data from county Weed Management Areas. These maps are the product of those working in the field and are not intended to be definitive.

Cal-IPC News Articles

• None for this species.

Cal-IPC Symposium Proceedings

• Clifford, P., A. J. Pickart, et al. (2005). Invasive annual grasses in a coastal dune ecosystem. California Invasive Plant Council Symposium 2005. Chico, California, California Invasive Plant Council.

Other Resources on Briza maxima

• USDA PLANTS database - Federal database with information on identification and distribution, and links to websites in individual states.
• Jepson Online Interchange for California Flora - Information on taxonomy, biology, and distribution from the UC Berkeley Jepson Herbarium.
• CalFlora - Distribution information by county based on submitted observations and herbarium specimens.
• The Nature Conservancy Management Summary - Information compiled by TNC land managers. Photos included for some species.
• CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.

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