Image of Zizania palustris
Source: Matt Lavine
image of Grass
Zizania palustris
Northern Wildrice
Zizanie des marais

Synonyms

northern zizania
folle avoine
riz sauvage
No seeds available for this plant.

We are not accepting seeds for this plant at the moment.

Bloom Colour: Green Bloom Period: Jul - Oct
Max Height: 9.0 feet
Max Width: 1.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture wet Tolerates wet soil condition
Lifespan: Annual plants that have a lifespan of one year
Gardener Experience:
does not spread Does not spread uncontrollably
plant spread by rhizome Spreads by rhizome
Landscape Uses:
wetland garden Suitable for wetland garden
Ecological Benefits: No ecological benefits information available.
Tolerates:
Transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:
GRASP candidate This plant is a GRASP candidate

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Yes

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Zizania palustris
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Boreal Plains
  • Boreal Shield
  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Zizania palustris

No butterfly data available for this plant.

Specialized Bees Supported by Zizania palustris

No bee data available for this plant.

Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.

Complementary Plants

  • No complementary plants found.

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Phalaris arundinacea (Reed Canary Grass)
  • Butomus umbellatus (Flowering Rush)
  • Iris pseudacorus (Yellow Iris)

Sowing Information

Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Surface sow
  • Sow by February
  • Stratification duration: 60 days
  • Notes: Sow promptly. Can be kept in fridge up to 2 months.

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: August
  • Harvesting indicator:
    • Seeds are dark and dry, and easily fall off when you gently pull them off
  • Harvesting:
    • Use hand to detach from main stem
  • Seed viability test:
    • Put seed in container filled with water
    • If the seed goes at the bottom of the container, you can donate
    • If seed floats, do not donate
  • Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/8 teaspoon
  • Seed storage:
    • Keep moisten and cool, in a ziploc bag, in the fridge, with the seeds in soil, paper towel or coffee filter, until donation
  • Cultivar: No, you can donate without knowing the source as there are only straight species
  • No harvesting video available at this time.

Toxicity Notes

Inadequate information on toxicity found.

GRASP Candidate

Culturally significant to Indigenous Communities.