Brachypodium is a genus of plants in the grass family, widespread across much of Africa, Eurasia, and Latin America.

[12][13] According to a study published in 2010, there is evidence of Brachypodium and cattail (Typha spp.)

residues occurring on prehistoric human grinding tools dated 28,000 years ago from Bilancino in central Italy.

[14] Another contemporaneously published study stated that the grain residues resemble Brachypodium, based on a comparison to two modern specimens: "Among these, the grains, which are slightly angular, with hardly visible centric, point-shaped hila and adequate dimensions (in the sample measuring 9–14 μm), appeared very similar to those of Brachypodium or related genera.

"[15] numerous species once considered members of Brachypodium but now considered better suited to other genera: Agropyron Anthosachne Arundinella Brachyelytrum Brachysteleum Catapodium Cutandia Distichlis Elymus Festuca Festucopsis Lolium Micropyrum Poa Ptychomitrium Rostraria Triticum Vulpia