Briza maxima

Other Names: Quaking Grass

Introduced From: Mediterranean region

Family: Poaceae (Grass family)

Habitat: Lawns, roadsides, wastland, pasture and cultivated land

Uses: Seeds edible, Leaves semi-edible

References: Low (Weeds), Richardson and Shepherd

About Blowfly Grass

Slender annual grass, grows to 60cm high.

The grass family, Poaceae, contains about 650 genera (with 250 in Australia) and 9500 species worldwide. Most grass seeds (any species of grass that has seeds that are not black or too dark in colour) are edible, and can be made into flour by hulling and grinding. Grass seeds of some species are dark in colour and contain a poisonous fungus that can be fatally poisonous if large quantities are consumed.

Grass leaves are also edible, though contain large quantities of cellulose (fibre) which is not digestible. It won't hurt you, though. If you were hungry enough, a lot of nutrition can be obtained from grass by chewing up the blades, sucking out the juices and then spitting out the pulp.

Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains NSW.

See Also

Australian Mammals
Australian Birds
Australian Reptiles
Australian Frogs
Australian Fish
Australian Spiders and Their Faces

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