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Common Name:
NORTHERN WILD-RICE, WILD-RICE
Synonym:
Zizania aquatica
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Coefficient of Conservatism:
8
Coefficient of Wetness:
-5
Wetness Index:
OBL
Physiognomy:
Nt A-Grass
D. Dister
Included in Z. aquatica in Michigan Flora.
Found in similar habitats to Z. aquatica, but much more common and widespread in Michigan.
Almost all our plants are subsp. palustris, which is widespread throughout Michigan. It has appressed pistillate branches in the inflorescence, the lowermost with mostly 3–8 spikelets, and leaves up to 2 cm wide. Subsp. interior (Fassett) S. L. Chen has usually somewhat divergent branches in the pistillate portion of the inflorescence, the lowest branches of which usually have 12–18 or more spikelets, and wider leaves, apparently to 4 cm or more (though no Michigan plants have leaves wider than 1.7 cm). Very few scattered Michigan specimens appear to be subsp. interior and their occurrence in Michigan is somewhat mysterious. Seed is sometimes sown to grow stands for the benefit of wildlife, especially ducks, for which it is an important food. Our locations for subsp. interior thus may not all represent natural occurrences.
This species is the wild rice that is harvested for grain in parts of the Great Lakes region.
Locations
Alcona County
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Alger County
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Berrien County
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Cheboygan County
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Chippewa County
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Only on Drummond Island
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Clinton County
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Emmet County
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Gogebic County
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Houghton County
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Huron County
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Iron County
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Jackson County
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Kalamazoo County
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Kent County
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Lapeer County
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Leelanau County
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Lenawee County
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Livingston County
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Mackinac County
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Including Bois Blanc, Mackinac, Round Islands
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Mason County
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Mecosta County
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Menominee County
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Montcalm County
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Muskegon County
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Oakland County
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Ogemaw County
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Oscoda County
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Otsego County
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Presque Isle County
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Roscommon County
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Schoolcraft County
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Shiawassee County
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St. Clair County
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Washtenaw County
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Citation:
MICHIGAN FLORA ONLINE. A. A. Reznicek, E. G. Voss, & B. S. Walters. February 2011. University of Michigan. Web. January 30, 2023. https://michiganflora.net/species.aspx?id=2250.