Classification
 Subordinate Taxa
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Zizania L., Sp. Pl. 991 (1753)
Synonymy:
  • = Hydropyrum Link, Hort. Berol. (1827) nom. illeg., nom. superfl.
Vernacular Name(s):
Water oats; Wild rice
 Description

Tall, aquatic, monoecious annuals or perennials, sometimes with creeping rhizomes. Leaves flat. Inflorescence a large, terminal panicle with lower branches spreading or ascending and bearing pendent, early deciduous ♂ spikelets, upper branches ascending to erect at maturity, bearing ascending, tardily deciduous ♀ spikelets. Spikelets 1-flowered, falling entire from the pedicel; lower lemmas suppressed, rachilla modified to a callus-like structure at base of floret. Glumes obsolete, a small, collar-like ridge at tip of pedicel. ♂ spikelets: lemma membranous, 5–7-nerved, acuminate to shortly awned; palea ≈ lemma, 3-nerved; stamens 6. ♀ spikelets: lemma chartaceous, 3-nerved, tapering to a long slender awn; palea 2-keeled, the keels tightly clasped by lemma margins. Lodicules 2. Styles fused, stigma narrowly plumose. Caryopsis linear; embryo ½ length caryopsis to ≈ caryopsis; hilum ≈ caryopsis. Fig. 3.

[From: Edgar and Connor (2000) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 5 (second printing).]

 Biostatus
Exotic
Number of species in New Zealand within Zizania L.
CategoryNumber
Exotic: Fully Naturalised1
Total1
 Bibliography
Link, J.H.F. 1827: Hortus Regius Botanicus Berolinensis. Vol. 1.
Linnaeus, C. 1753: Species Plantarum. Impensis Laurentii Salvii, Stockholm.
Mabberley, D.J. 2008: Mabberley's plant book, a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Edition 3. Cambridge University Press.