Swamp Rice Grass
Leersia hexandra

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A grass which keeps growing from year to year. It grows near the edges of water and has floating stems. It forms clumps due to underground stems or rhizomes. The stems stick up like a stiff grass with supporting roots from the lower stem joints. The leafy stems can be 60 cm high. The stems are hollow. The leaves can be 0.5-20 cm long and 0.3-1 cm wide. They are dull green and sword shaped and taper towards the tip. The leaf sheath is thickened and with dense white bristles at the base. It has rough upward pointing prickles on the higher section. The flower panicles are 5-15 cm long. They are open and with few branches. The small spikes have one flower containing both sexes. The lower flower bract has 5 veins.

There are about 20 Leersia species. It is a weed of rice fields.

Where it is found

A tropical and subtropical plant. It grows along the edges of still water. It can cause floating islands on lakes. In Papua New Guinea it grows from sea level top 2,300 m altitude. It occurs all around the world. In Argentina it grows below 800 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Central Africa, Central America (country/location of origin), China, Cuba (country/location of origin), East Africa, East Timor, Eswatini, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Jamaica (country/location of origin), Japan, Laos, Lesser Antilles (country/location of origin), Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico (country/location of origin), Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, North America, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies (country/location of origin), widespread tropical, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Seeds, cereal

How it is grown

It can be grown from rooted sections of stems or rhizomes. Seeds are often not formed.

Its other names

Local names

Ahikongona, Arail, Arali, Banto, Benta, Boiadeira, Cacasi, Capim-marreca, Cine-ghon, Cineu, Jangli dhan, Jukut lambeta, Kadu bili sajjabu hullu, Kalamenta, Lihoca, Mulandjo, N'fende, Nir valli pullu, Olaquicom, Ricegrass, Sine-o, Sine, Sineu, Thaman-myet, Uacunde, Unfende, Unruti

Synonyms

Homalocenchrus hexandrus Kuntze; Oryza hexandra (Sw.) Doell.; and several others