This very attractive grass is common in natural, calcareous grassland, where it grows in loose tufts. The leaves have a slightly waxy bloom and slender, blunt tips.
The delicate flower stems of quaking-grass are branched with pendulous flowering spikelets that shiver in the breeze, giving the plant its common name - or rather most of its common names, as it is variously known in different parts of the country as totter grass, shakky-tremmles, dithery dock, and, conversely, dothery dick! Silver spoons, golden shekels and wigwams are other beautifully descriptive local names. This is well worth having in a meadow.
If there is a sufficient quantity of seed on offer to make a decent snack, birds such as greenfinch, linnet, house sparrow and even yellowhammer may visit this grass. Few invertebrates other than one species of moth - but not one likely to be seen in gardens - are associated with this grass but the very attractive appearance of quaking-grass justifies its place in any grassy plot.