Manchurian Wild Rice (Zizania latifolia)

Family: Poaceae or Gramineae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Zizania latifolia is a PERENNIAL growing to 3.5 m (11ft 6in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Shoots, Roots/Tubers, Flowers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

nutty flavour reminiscent of coconut. — The swollen stem bases, infected with the smut fungus Ustilago esculenta, are eaten as a vegetable by the Chinese.; They must be harvested before the fungus starts to produce spores since the flesh deteriorates at this time.; They are parboiled then sautéed with other vegetables and have a nutty flavour reminiscent of coconut.; The wild forms of this species have developed resistance to the smut, so specially disease-susceptible cultivars are grown.

Habitat & North American Range

Swamps marshes etc in running or stagnant shallow water. Shallow water of lake margins and swamps, often forming large patches. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)