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Glite Dictionary
Zizania

Zizania

9.4
A group of tall water grasses whose seeds people eat as wild rice
  • noun
  • /zɪˈzeɪniə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Zizania
  • The fields were planted with Zizania, which was later harvested as wild rice.

Examples

  • Several species within the genus Zizania are cultivated for their nutritious grains.

  • The Zizania plant thrives in shallow water.

  • Botanists are studying the growth patterns of Zizania in wetland habitats.

  • Many people enjoy eating Zizania dishes.

  • Botanists are studying the growth patterns of Zizania in wetland habitats.

  • Several species within the genus Zizania are cultivated for their nutritious grains.

  • The fields were planted with Zizania, which was later harvested as wild rice.

Synonyms

wild rice
vsZizania
  • US
4 3.3

A long dark grain from water plants that people cook and eat

is the scientific genus that includes these grains across regions
genus Zizania
vsZizania
  • Specialized
8.4

A water grass that makes edible seeds called wild rice

has the same sense but serves as the shorter general label
Indian rice
vsZizania
  • US
3.4

A grain that grows in lakes and rivers and is eaten like rice

is the scientific genus name applying also to East Asian species

Compounds

genus Zizania
  • Specialized
8.4

A water grass that makes edible seeds called wild rice

Surface Forms

Zizania singular
Zizaniae plural

Etymology

Zizania comes from an old Greek word zizania meaning 'a kind of grass'. That's why the name was used for wild rice plants, a group of grasses whose seeds people eat.