Giant Cutgrass
Zizaniopsis miliacea (Michaux) Doell & Ascherson
Giant Cutgrass: https://www.marylandbiodiversity.org/species/4170
Synonyms
Southern Wild Rice 
Tags
Endangered (MD) S1 (Highly state rare)

Map Snapshot

8 Records

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Status

In Maryland Giant Cutgrass is an endangered species and has a state ranking of S1. This rare aquatic grass can be found in freshwater to oligohaline marshes in Calvert and Worcester Counties. In Maryland habitat loss is a major factor for the rarity of Giant Cutgrass. This species is also effected by the rapid spread of phragmites (MD DNR, 2017).

Relationships

Giant Cutgrass is a host plant for Broad-winged Skipper and Rare Skipper.

Resources

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View at Maryland Plant Atlas Search Flora of North America Search Mid-Atlantic Herbaria Consortium Search Norton-Brown Herbarium Search MNPS Facebook posts

Citations

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Source: Wikipedia

Zizaniopsis miliacea
Secure
Secure (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
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 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

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  1. ^ "Zizaniopsis miliacea Southern Wild Rice". NatureServe. 2015. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "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. ^ a b c Fox, Alison M.; Haller, William T. (2000). "Production and survivorship of the functional stolons of giant cutgrass, Zizaniopsis miliacea (Poaceae)". American Journal of Botany. 87 (6): 811–818. doi:10.2307/2656888. JSTOR 2656888.
  4. ^ a b c d Zizaniopsis miliacea. Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine Grass Manual Treatment.
  5. ^ a b 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) 113–121.
  6. ^ Zizaniopsis miliacea. USDA NRCS Plant Fact Sheet.
  7. ^ Birch, Joe B.; Cooley, James L. (1982). "Production and standing crop patterns of giant cutgrass (Zizaniopsis miliacea) in a freshwater tidal marsh". Oecologia. 52 (2): 230–235. doi:10.2307/4216603. JSTOR 4216603.
  8. ^ Zizaniopsis miliacea. Archived 2012-01-23 at the Wayback Machine University of Florida, IFAS.
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