Zizania aquatica
indian wild rice, annual wildrice, wild rice
Photo credit: Larry Allain, U.S. Geological Survey
Family
Poaceae
Leaf Arrangement
alternate
Leaf Margin
entire
Leaf Type
cauline, simple
Growth Form
graminoid
Flower Color
green, inconspicuous
Flower Month
May - October
Height (meters)
0.4 - 0.6
Milky Sap
No
Armed/Unarmed
Unarmed
Origin
native
Lifespan
annual
Wetland Class
OBL
Wetland Coefficient of Conservatism
6
Field Characters
Indian wild rice is a robust perennial grass with thick, spongy culms and a large drooping inflorescence. Similar to marsh-millet (Zizaniopsis miliacea) which has stiff, ascending upper branches in its inflorescence.
Habitat
Margins of streams, lakes, ponds, standing water and brackish and fresh water marshes.