Zizaniopsis miliacea

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Zizaniopsis miliacea
Zizaniopsis miliacea.jpg
Status TNC G5.svg
Secure  (NatureServe) [1]
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Genus: Zizaniopsis
Species:
Z. miliacea
Binomial name
Zizaniopsis miliacea
Synonyms [2]

Zizania miliaceaMichx.

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]

Related Research Articles

Rhizome Underground stem in which various plants asexually reproduce via budding

In botany and dendrology, a rhizome is a modified subterranean plant stem that sends out roots and shoots from its nodes. Rhizomes are also called creeping rootstalks or just rootstalks. Rhizomes develop from axillary buds and grow horizontally. The rhizome also retains the ability to allow new shoots to grow upwards.

Stolon Horizontal connections between organisms

In biology, stolons, also known as runners, are horizontal connections between organisms. They may be part of the organism, or of its skeleton; typically, animal stolons are external skeletons.

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<i>Asclepias welshii</i> Species of plant

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<i>Geum radiatum</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Mirabilis macfarlanei</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Calamagrostis montanensis</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Festuca thurberi</i> Species of grass

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<i>Panicum hemitomon</i> Species of grass

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<i>Poa paludigena</i> Species of grass

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<i>Amphicarpum muehlenbergianum</i> Species of flowering plant

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Schizachyrium maritimum is a species of grass known by the common name Gulf bluestem. It is native to the Gulf Coast of the United States, where its distribution extends from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle.

<i>Setaria parviflora</i> Species of plant

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<i>Leersia hexandra</i> Species of plant

Leersia hexandra is a species of grass known by the common names southern cutgrass, clubhead cutgrass, and swamp rice grass. It has a pantropical distribution. It is also an introduced species in many regions, sometimes becoming invasive, and it is an agricultural weed of various crops, especially rice. It is also cultivated as a forage for livestock.

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.