Biology:Zizaniopsis miliacea

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Short description: Species of plant in the family Poaceae

Zizaniopsis miliacea
Zizaniopsis miliacea.jpg

Secure (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification edit
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. https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.157142/Zizaniopsis_miliacea. Retrieved September 27, 2020. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Zizaniopsis miliacea (Michx.) Döll & Asch.". The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d.. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1030293-2. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 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. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Zizaniopsis miliacea. Grass Manual Treatment.
  5. 5.0 5.1 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.

External links

Wikidata ☰ Q8072922 entry