About 20 annual or perennial species, from grasslands of Europe and South America. Linear leaves, with nodding, large flower spikelets which can be attractive over long periods.
The value of annual species of Briza is restricted to their seeds being eaten by farmland finches and buntings, and B. maxima is an increasing occurrence away from gardens. As it can prove difficult to contain, steps should be taken to avoid its escape. Leaves of native perennial B. minor are known to be eaten by a number of insects, from grass-bugs to moths, including the nationally scarce downland case-bearer, a micromoth.