COMMON NAME
Wild rice
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Zizania palustris
ALSO KNOWN AS
Blackbird oats, Canadian rice, Manoomin (Ojibwe), Marsh oats, Northern wild rice, water oats
Plant family
Grass (Poaceae)
Plant group
Grasses
Known as manoomin by the Ojibwe. Found in rivers, streams, lakes and ponds. Flowers bloom in July and the grain ripens in August and September. It is a native grain that has served as a food staple of the Great Lakes Ojibwe and for wildlife.
59 reports
10+
OBSERVERS
59+
OBSERVATIONS
Identification hints
Manoomin is an aquatic grass that grows in coastal wetlands, rivers, and lakes in water depths of 1-3 feet. During early summer, its leaves float on top of the water. The plant undergoes a physiological change and emerges from the water in a stalk that grows up to 6 feet in height. The grain ripens in August and September.
Did you know?
Manoomin means "good berry" in the Ojibwe language. At one time the Ojibwe people lived on Atlantic coast. They were told in prophecies to migrate to the west until they found the place where "food grow on the water." That food is wild rice. This native grain is found through the Ojibwe Ceded Territory of northern MN, WI and MI. It is an important staple food of the Ojibwe people and is also important to wildlife.
DISTRIBUTION IN TH U.S.
There is no information available about this species.
HABITAT
There is no information available about this species.
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