Bengal wild rice
Hygroryza aristata

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A grass which grows in water and keeps growing from year to year. It floats and forms dense mats. The stems are 1.5 m long. They are spongy and have irregular branching. Stems root at the nodes. The leaf sheath is inflated. The leaf blade is 3-6 cm long by 5-17 mm wide. The leaves are in pairs and float on the water. The flower panicle has 4-5 main branches. They are in rings at the top of the stalk. The spikelets have one flower. The seed is 2-3 mm long.

There is only one Hygroryza species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in quiet water and can creep over wet ground. It grows in shallow water up to 60 cm deep. It is floating. It grows up to 350 m altitude. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The grain is eaten when food is scarce. It is cooked as rice.

Edible parts

Seeds, cereal

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ahu, Aranyadhanya, Aranyajali, Bahpatai, Deobhata, Jangalidal, Janglidal, Jyarahumedhe, Nirvallipullu, Phutki, Puchaoloitha, Putidal, Thia thia, Uridhan, Vallipullu, Vanti, Ya-phonglom

Synonyms

Leersia aristata (Retzius) Roxb.; Pharus aristatus Retzius; Potomochloa retzii Griff.; Zizania aristata (Retz.) Knuth;