Wild rice, Annual wild rice
Zizania aquatica

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A millet grass. It is a tall annual grass. The stems are upright and usually 1-3 m tall. They are stout. The leaf blades are long and narrow. They can be 0.3-1 m long and 2-5 cm wide. They are soft. They have many flowers in open branched clusters. These can be 60 cm high and the side branches 15-20 cm long. The lower branches have male flowers and the upper branches have female flowers. The seed case is tipped with a long stiff hair like structure. The seeds are narrow, hard and brown. Seeds often easily fall off the grass.

Where it is found

It grows in swamps and streams. It can grow in fresh or brackish water. It cannot survive in stagnant water. A water depth of 15 cm is suitable. It needs plenty of sunlight.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Canada, China, India, Indochina, Japan, Malaysia, Manchuria, North America, SE Asia, Taiwan, Thailand, USA, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The grains are cooked like rice in water for 25-40 minutes then eaten. The grain can be ground and used in cereal dishes. It can also be used for breads, muffins, cakes, pasta and for thickening soups. It can be popped and eaten with maple syrup.

It is grown commercially.

Edible parts

Seeds, stem, cereal, shoots

How it is grown

Plants are grown by seeds.

Ripe seeds easily fall from the plant. Seeds are normally harvested with a boat and the heads are bent over the boat then tapped to allow seed to fall. The grains are then dried. The grains are separated by threshing or rubbing.

Its other names

Local names

Canadian wild rice, Gao bai shun, Gau sun, Makomo-zuno, Manoomin, Normai-nam, Rebong ayer, Water rice

Synonyms

It will hybridize with Zizania palustris;