Overview
Zizania palustris is often called northern wild rice, and is a member of the Poaceae taxon family. It’s range overlaps with Ziziania aquatica (southern wild rice). It is often found growing in expansive beds that are used by wildlife, fish, and other plant species. Indigenous groups harvested wild rice in the fall, and it was a key subsistence species in the upper Great Lakes region. Zizania palustris has been introduced in Idaho, Arizona, West Virginia, Oregon, California, and Washington to promote waterfowl production.
Scientific Name
Identification Numbers
Characteristics
Habitat
Shallow lakes, drowned river mouths, backwater areas, and slow-moving streams. Often found growing with other native plant species.
Physical Characteristics
Grows up to 2 meters with leaf blades 3-21 mm wide. Branches are appressed or ascending.
Green plant with mostly white small male flowers and yellow to purple female flowers.
Life Cycle
Zizania palustris is an annual plant that starts to germinate shortly after ice out on inland lakes with shattering occurring in late August or early September in most years.