Family: Poaceae
northern wild rice
Robert W. Freckmann
Eric J. Epstein
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Robert W. Freckmann Herbarium (UWSP)
Etymology: Zizania: from adaptation of zizanion for an ancient name of some wild grains
Plants: erect/floating annual, < 7' tall, aquatic, emergent grass
Leaves: first leaves float; later emerge, wide, flat
Flowers: 5-parted, each female spikelet has 1 flower with 3-ribbed, shiny firm lemma; inflorescence spikelets, female at top
Habitat: wet; in water to 40" deep, rivers, lakes; in silty, mucky soil
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: erect/floating annual, < 7' tall, aquatic, emergent grass
Leaves: first leaves float; later emerge, wide, flat
Flowers: 5-parted, each female spikelet has 1 flower with 3-ribbed, shiny firm lemma; inflorescence spikelets, female at top
Habitat: wet; in water to 40" deep, rivers, lakes; in silty, mucky soil
Conservation Status: Native
Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 8 USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos Grasses of Iowa: Detailed photographs, descriptions, maps
Eric J. Epstein
Kitty Kohout
from USDA Plants website
