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Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center


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Rice Cutgrass (Leersia oryzoides)

Family: Grass (Poaceae)
Flowering: June-October.
Field Marks: This species is recognized by its rough, saw-toothed leaf edges and its spikelets 1/6-1/4 inch long.
Habitat: Swamps, sloughs, around ponds and lakes, wet meadows, roadside ditches.
Habit: Perennial herbs from slender rhizomes.
Stems: Ascending to erect, branched, usually smooth, up to 5 feet tall.
Leaves: Flat, elongated, up to 1/2 inch wide, with small but sharp-cutting teeth along the edges.
Flowers: 1 per spikelet, with many spikelets arranged in a panicle up to 8 inches long; each spikelet greenish-white, oblong, 1/6-1/4 inch long.
Stamens: 3.
Pistils: Ovary superior; styles 3.
Grains: Red-brown, ellipsoid, 1/8 inch long.
Notes: The saw-toothed leaf edges can readily tear the flesh.

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U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/plants/floramw/species/leeroryz.htm
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Page Last Modified: Saturday, 02-Feb-2013 06:10:00 EST
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