Briza is a genus of annual and perennial plants in the grass family, native to northern temperate regions of Eurasia, North Africa, and certain islands in the Atlantic.

[4][5][6][7][8][9] The group is generally referred to as the quaking grasses because the flowers and seedheads shake on their stalks in the slightest breeze.

Over 100 species formerly included in Briza are now placed in other genera, including Agrostis, Airopsis, Chascolytrum, Desmazeria, Desmostachya, Distichlis, Eragrostis, Glyceria, Halopyrum, Neesiochloa, Poa, Tribolium, Trisetum and Uniola.

In certain Scottish folklore, a patch of briza, dawdle, or quaking grass indicated the location's previous use in fairy dancing (similar to a fairy ring).

The passerby who walks through the tainted grass was said to come down with an immediate drowsiness, worsening to the point of death.