Also called:
Although do not confuse with sister-species
manoomin: northern (♒︎ lake) wild rice Zizania palustris,
which is also sometimes called these.
Despite its common names, not a
🌾︎ rice genus Oryza.
Instead, …
Wild rice is an ♒︎ 🌾︎ aquatic grass in
manoomin/wild rice genus Zizania.
Both genera (Oryza and Zizania) are members of
🌾︎ grass family Poaceae
in
🌾︎ grass/rush/sedge order Poales.
Native
to much of 🇨🇦 🇺🇸 North America,
especially the Great Lakes Basin.
🗺 Map by county (🇺🇸 USA-48)
(color key).
Protected in the state of Michigan — a state-threatened species.
🏛🌾︎ State grain of Minnesota. 🏛🌾︎ State native grain of Michigan, together with sister-species
manoomin: northern (♒︎ lake) wild rice Zizania palustris,
since late 2023.
Uses by native peoples
(Ethnobotany database)
Has a grain more nutritious than
Asian rice Oryza sativa.
Specifically,
🍚 cooked wild rice
has:
-
46% more protein (3.99/2.74) and
18% fewer calories (101/123) compared to
brown rice,
or
-
68% more protein (3.99/2.38) and
22% fewer calories (101/130) compared to
white rice.
🍲︎ Soup recipe: Minnesota Wild Rice (Manoomin) Soup 
Zizania hosts caterpillars of 5 species
of butterflies and moths, in some areas.
The story, historical and cultural significance, and destruction of the manoomin beds:
Manoomin: Native Wild Rice in Michigan slides by Barb Barton and Roger LaBine
Wild Rice in Michigan slides by Barb Barton and Roger LaBine
Interview
"Settlers nearly destroyed Michigan's wild rice beds. Native tribes are restoring them." Michigan Radio show Stateside. .
or its
🔊︎ audio
To restore manoomin beds, with a real chance of success, I am told you will need:
- Ongoing (multiyear) support from local organizations doing rice restoration (perhaps tribes), perhaps including traditional ceremonies.
- An area of:
◦ Clear water — for the seeds to germinate, sunlight must hit the bottom in the spring.
◦ Some water flow, even with the lake variety — should have some flow in to and out from the lake.
◦ Stable water levels (not fluctuacting widely from year-to-year).
◦ Non-acidic muck soils.
◦ No-wake boat traffic only.
◦ Lack of invasive species/competitors, especially carp.
◦ Landowner or regulatory approval.
- Local seed, within a week (or 72 hours!) after harvest
Propagation protocol for sister-species.
Chi miigwech!
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