Zizaniopsis miliacea

Secure  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Genus: Zizaniopsis
Species:
Z. miliacea
Binomial name
Zizaniopsis miliacea
(Michx.) Döll & Asch.
Synonyms[2]

Zizania miliacea Michx.

Zizaniopsis miliacea is a species of flowering plant in the grass family, Poaceae.[2] It is known by the common names giant cutgrass, water millet, and southern wildrice. The name giant cutgrass refers to the plant's large, rough-edged leaves, and the name southern wildrice refers to its resemblance to wildrice (Zizania spp.).[3] It is native to the southeastern United States and it can also be found in central Mexico.[4]

This perennial grass grows from rhizomes, producing stems up to 4 meters tall and 3.5 centimeters wide. The stems root at nodes that come in contact with the substrate.[4] It also spreads via functional stolons (decumbent rooting stems) and vegetative buds that erupt from the stems.[3][5] The blue-green leaves are up to a meter long and 3 centimeters wide. The panicles may exceed 80 centimeters long and are usually up to 20 centimeters wide.[4]

This plant grows in aquatic habitat, such as marshes and riverbanks. It is also common in former rice paddies.[3] This grass forms large colonies by spreading via its stolon-like stems and rhizomes.[5] It grows in fresh and brackish water,[4] tolerating some salt in the water. It is sometimes planted for erosion control in wetlands.[6] Large stands of the plant are sometimes considered to be a nuisance, providing "poor wildlife habitat";[7] however, it does provide nesting sites, cover, and food for animals.[8]

References

  1. ↑ "Zizaniopsis miliacea". NatureServe Explorer. NatureServe: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.157142. 2015. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  2. 1 2 "Zizaniopsis miliacea (Michx.) Döll & Asch". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 Fox, A. M. and W. T. Haller. (2000). Production and survivorship of the functional stolons of giant cutgrass, Zizaniopsis miliacea (Poaceae). Am J Bot 87(6) 811-18.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Zizaniopsis miliacea. Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine Grass Manual Treatment.
  5. 1 2 Holmes, W. C. and D. T. Stalling. (1990). Studies on the reproductive strategy of Zizaniopsis miliacea (Michx.) Doell. & Asch. (Gramineae: Tribe Oryzeae). Castanea 55(2) 113-21.
  6. ↑ Zizaniopsis miliacea. USDA NRCS Plant Fact Sheet.
  7. ↑ Birch, J. B. and J. L. Cooley. (1982). Production and standing crop patterns of giant cutgrass (Zizaniopsis miliacea) in a freshwater tidal marsh. Oecologia 52(2) 230-35.
  8. ↑ Zizaniopsis miliacea. University of Florida, IFAS.
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