|
Scientific Name |
Zizania aquatica L. |
|
Common Name |
Wild Rice |
|
Family |
Poaceae (Grass) |
|
Class |
Monocot |
|
Description |
True annual, overwinters as seed, tall emergent (10 ft.) with long
tapering leaves, panicle is large loose head, prolific seed producer |
|
US Distribution |
Northern North America; other species throughout US |
|
Worldwide Distribution |
Circumboreal |
|
Ecology |
Shallow emergent areas, requires water for seed germination |
|
Economic Importance |
Important crop for First nation; commercially produced; tropical rice (Oryza
sativa) is possibly the most important crop worldwide, and is grown
originally as an aquatic |
|
Ecological Importance |
Highly significant food source for waterfowl |
|
Notes |
Native Texas wild rice (Z. texana) is on endangered species list |
