Leersia oryzoides
rice cutgrass, rice cut grass, rice cut-grass
Family
Poaceae
Leaf Arrangement
alternate
Leaf Attachment
sheathing
Leaf Type
simple
Leaf Shape
linear
Growth Form
graminoid
Flower Color
inconspicuous
Flower Month
April - November
Height (meters)
0.7 - 1.5
Milky Sap
No
Armed/Unarmed
Unarmed
Origin
native
Lifespan
perennial
Wetland Class
OBL
Wetland Coefficient of Conservatism
7
Field Characters
Grows to 1.5 m tall and has weak culms toped with a spreading inflorescence with destinctive spikelets on wavy branches. Leaf sheaths and blades are finely marked with parallel lines and have saw-like teeth on the edges.
Animal Use
Seed utilized by ducks; occasionally eaten by muskrats.
Habitat
Marshes, ditches, low woods, swamps, wet meadows, muddy soil, streams, ponds, lakes.