Wild rice thrives best in shallow lakes

Wild Rice Plant Description


Introduction
Wild rice is grass related to domestic rice (Oryza sativa and Oryza glaberrima). All members of the same tribe Oryzeae, wild rice has an edible outer sheath with a tender grain inside. The plant is known by its Ojibwe name, mandolin, Canada rice, Indian rice, and water oats.

Classification of Wild Rice
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Subfamily: Oryzoideae
Tribe: Oryzeae
Subtribe: Zizaniinae
Genus: Zizania
Zizania palustris: Annual native to southern Canada, the north-central United States, and the Great Lakes area
Zizania aquatica: Annual native to the St. Lawrence River area and Atlantic and Gulf coastal regions of the United States
Zizania texana: Also called Texas wild rice, a perennial nearly extinct in central Texas along the San Marcos River but has become an invasive species in New Zealand since its accidental introduction
Zizania latifolia: Also called Manchurian wild rice, a perennial native to China

History of Wild Rice
Native peoples in the United States have been eating wild rice for thousands of years, harvesting it from boats by gently knocking the grain heads with specialized wooden sticks into collecting baskets. Any grains falling into the water seed the next season’s crop. The plant has long been regarded as sacred by several tribes. In 2018, manoomin was granted legal personhood with the right to flourish by the White Earth Nation of Ojibwe. They filed a lawsuit in 2021 against the oil pipeline developers whose construction endangered the natural habitat.

Manchurian wild rice was a primary food source in ancient China, but now it is almost non-existent in the wild. No longer cultivated for its grain value, it is grown only for fleshy white stems.

In the 20th century, wild rice began increasing in popularity in both the United States and Canada. Today it is commercially considered almost an exotic food for mixing in other dishes rather than consuming on its own.

Preferred Growing Conditions
Wild rice thrives best in shallow lakes, slow-moving streams, and fresh marshes. The plants grow vertically underwater in mid-spring, eventually reaching several feet tall. Each plant flower has male spikelets below the female spikelets at the end of the stalk. In July, the plants cross-pollinate. The ripening grains fall into the water over about ten days if not harvested or eaten by deer, fish, and other wildlife.



Nutritional Value of Wild Rice

 


Wild rice is quite nutritious, containing protein, lysine, and dietary fiber. It is a good source of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, iron, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and manganese. Low in fat, it also offers the antioxidant apigenin, which is being evaluated in cancer research.

Wild Rice Precautions
Like other rice, wild rice potentially contains arsenic and other heavy metals absorbed from its environment. Soaking the grains in water overnight for up to 24 hours is a safe practice. Another concern is the rare potential of ergot toxin; infected grains exhibit pink or purple spots and should be discarded.



Wild Rice in Cooking

 


This nutritious and natural food is becoming increasingly common due to its high nutrient density.

lily pads - TN Nursery

Water Lily

Water Lily Pads are round, flat, floating leaves of aquatic plants, typically green in color. They provide a resting place for frogs and a picturesque element in ponds and H2O gardens. They are often associated with serene ponds and H2O gardens; they offer unique benefits when strategically incorporated into landscaping designs. Their aquatic nature, ability to create captivating reflections, contributions to ecosystem health, and role in enhancing the visual and sensory experience make them valuable to outdoor spaces. Water Lily pads are clusters of aquatic plants with leaves and blooms that grow in ponds, H2O gardens, and natural bodies of H2O. They root in the soil at the bottom of quiet, freshwater habitats. There are many reasons to cultivate these uncommonly alluring plants. The Extraordinary Beauty Of Water Lily Pads If you want breathtaking plants and a unique landscape, consider them. The magnificent blossoms burst forth through the surface of the H2O with bold flowers in a rainbow of colors from bright white, pale pink, and rich red to yellow and even blue. Large green leaves provide a stunning backdrop for these graceful flowers. The delicate petals and intricate stamens create a visually exquisite display that can grace your landscape with something special. Lilies represent resurrection, rebirth, purity, and enlightenment. They emerge triumphantly from the muck at the bottom of the pond, transformed into extraordinary blossoms. They have long been associated with higher qualities of consciousness like enlightenment and spiritual awakening. Some cultures associate the plants with grace, beauty, harmony, and serenity. In Buddhism and Hinduism, the pads have spiritual significance. In ancient Egypt, they were thought to repel negative entities, while Christians saw them as symbols of life, energy, and vitality. The Leaves and Blooms Of Water Lily The leaves can be round, oval, or heart-shaped and float on the surface of the H2O. They are supported by long stalks that emerge from thick, fleshy underwater roots. The leaves have a waxy coating that repels H2O while keeping them dry and buoyant. The size of the leaves varies by species. They range from a few inches to one foot in diameter. The flowers have delicate petals arranged in layers around a disk. The petals can be single or double-layered. The Looks And Info About Water Lily Visible blooms and leaves can completely cover the surface of a body of H2O. The showy display of Water Lily is supported by solid roots of fleshy rhizomes that secure the plants in the muddy substrate at the bottom of the H2O. The rhizomes produce slender roots that absorb nutrients in the H2O and further ensure the plant is in its position. The plant is essential in aquatic ecosystems, where it can be a primary food source and desirable habitat for fish and small animals.

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6 Pack - Bulrush Plugs - TN Nursery

Bulrush

Bulrush offers a range of benefits when integrated into landscaping projects. These versatile plants, commonly found near water bodies, bring a distinct and natural charm to outdoor spaces while serving functional and ecological roles. Enjoy Color-Changing Foliage Of Bulrush Plugs Bulrush plugs have long, floppy, dark green stems that are triangular. The spongy stems support spikey blossoms that occasionally sag and reach just below the stem's tip. Each flower spike usually produces anywhere from 50 to 100 blooms that range from 1.5 to 4.5 inches in length each spring. The leaf blades' characteristic "V" shape gives them a sheath-like appearance as they round the lengthy stem. Depending on the kind, flowers can be any yellow, red, or brown shade. The most color change tends to occur towards the end of fall. Create Dramatic Silhouettes With Bulrush The upright growth of their long, thin stems makes them a dramatic vertical feature in any setting. Their tall stalks provide a striking visual contrast when seen against a water background. The foliage is verdant and showy in the spring and summer, with large spikes of flowers. It can take on a golden or brown hue in the fall, creating a cozy background. The plugs form striking silhouettes against the sky, particularly at dawn or sunset. Bulrush Can Get Up To 10 Feet Tall Their delicate texture produces lots of textural contrast when combined with the robust leaves of broad-leaved plants. They also pair well with the fluffy plumes of ornamental grasses. Their tall, thin stems and growth patterns give their surroundings a sense of height and depth. They can get up to 10 feet tall. Bulrush has deep root systems that help keep soil in place. This is especially beneficial in areas with freshly exposed soil and sloped banks. Many people use them for wetland reclamation projects. These plants act as wind barriers when grown in clusters or rows, further helping with erosion control. These wind barriers can also double as natural privacy screens. Another way that they improve soil vitality is by absorbing harmful metals and bacteria. This reduces water pollution, making the soil healthier and less likely to erode.

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