(Zizania
species)
Image: Wild rice, © W H Hodge.
Status of wild rice in Tasmania
There are several species of wild rice in the genus
Zizania. All species of wild rice are
declared weeds in Tasmania under the
Tasmanian Biosecurity Act 2019 and associated Regulations.
The importation, sale and distribution of wild rice are prohibited in Tasmania. The legal responsibilities of landholders and other stakeholders in dealing with wild rice are laid out in the
wild rice Statutory Weed Management Plan.
What does wild rice look like?
Wild rice is a tall aquatic annual grass. It produces stout, spongy, hollow stems that commonly grow to 70 cm but may reach 240 cm. The leaves are flat, strap-like, 1.2 to 3.6 cm wide and smooth with a thick midrib that is slightly off-centre. Leaf margins may be sharply toothed. Submersed, floating and aerial leaves are produced at different stages of the life cycle. The flower head is a large, showy panicle up to 60 cm long and 30 cm wide. The fruit is an ovoid grain, yellow to red, slender and elongate.
Seed germination occurs in spring as water temperatures rise. Seedlings produce a few ribbon-like submerged leaves, followed by floating leaves. A rapid phase of shoot elongation ensues during which aerial leaves emerge and the stems thicken. As seed production nears completion the plant dies.
Spread is by seed. Seed is spread by water and on waterfowl.
Impacts of wild rice
Where does wild rice occur?
What you need to do
See also
Wild Rice Statutory Weed Management Plan
Weed Links and Resources
Other useful links
Pest Genie
APVMA
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