Zizania (genus)
| Wild rice | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| (unranked): | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Subfamily: | Ehrhartoideae |
| Tribe: | Oryzeae |
| Genus: |
Zizania L. |
| Species | |
|
|
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
|---|---|
| Energy | 423 kJ (101 kcal) |
|
21.34 g
|
|
| Dietary fiber | 1.8 g |
|
0.34 g
|
|
|
3.99 g
|
|
| Vitamins | |
| Vitamin A equiv. |
64 μg
|
| Thiamine (B1) |
(5%)
0.052 mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) |
(7%)
0.087 mg |
| Niacin (B3) |
(9%)
1.287 mg |
| Vitamin B6 |
(10%)
0.135 mg |
| Folate (B9) |
(7%)
26 μg |
| Vitamin C |
(0%)
0 mg |
| Vitamin E |
(2%)
0.24 mg |
| Minerals | |
| Calcium |
(0%)
3 mg |
| Iron |
(5%)
0.6 mg |
| Magnesium |
(9%)
32 mg |
| Manganese |
(13%)
0.282 mg |
| Phosphorus |
(12%)
82 mg |
| Potassium |
(2%)
101 mg |
| Sodium |
(0%)
3 mg |
| Zinc |
(14%)
1.34 mg |
| Other constituents | |
| Copper | 0.121 mg |
|
|
|
|
|
| Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA Nutrient Database |
|
Wild rice (Ojibwe: Manoomin; also called Canada rice, Indian rice, and water oats) are four species of grasses forming the genus Zizania, and the grain that can be harvested from them. The grain was historically gathered and eaten in both North America and China. While now a delicacy in North America, the grain is eaten less in China, where the plant's stem is used as a vegetable.
Wild rice is not directly related to Asian rice (Oryza sativa), whose wild progenitors are O. rufipogon and O. nivara, although they are close cousins, sharing the tribe Oryzeae. Wild-rice grains have a chewy outer sheath with a tender inner grain that has a slightly vegetal taste.
The plants grow in shallow water in small lakes and slow-flowing streams; often, only the flowering head of wild rice rises above the water. The grain is eaten by dabbling ducks and other aquatic wildlife, as well as by humans.
Three species of wild rice are native to North America:
One species is native to Asia:
Texas wild rice is in danger of extinction due to loss of suitable habitat in its limited range and to pollution. The pollen of Texas wild rice can only travel about 30 inches away from a parent plant. If pollen does not land on a receptive female flower within that distance, no seeds are produced.Manchurian wild rice has almost disappeared from the wild in its native range, but has been accidentally introduced into the wild in New Zealand and is considered an invasive species there.
The species most commonly harvested as grain are annual species, Zizania palustris is now grown commercially, but Zizania aquatica was also used extensively in the past by Indians.Native Americans and others harvest wild rice by canoeing into a stand of plants, and bending the ripe grain heads with wooden sticks called knockers, so as to thresh the seeds into the canoe.
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Wikipedia