rice cutgrass

Family

Poaceae

Scientific Name

Leersia oryzoides

Other Common Names:

sicklegrass

Synonyms (former Scientific Names):

Phalaris oryzoides

Homalocenchrus oryzoides

Leaves

Leaf blades are 7 to 30 cm long, 6 to 15 (20) mm wide, and yellow-green in color. They have a coarse or rough upper surface and are lined with tiny teeth along the margins.

Identifying Characteristics

Rice cutgrass is a native cool season grass that grows and flowers comparatively late in summer. The seed ripens in late August to early October, more typical of a warm season species. This short- to medium-lived perennial spreads by scaly, underground rhizomes and often forms dense colonies. The stalks (stems) are upright to sprawling, velvety at the nodes (joints), and 90 to 125 (150) cm tall.

Flower Seed Head

The flowerhead (panicle) is open, often drooping, and 10 to 20 cm long. Some panicles remain enclosed within the lower leaf sheaths and release seeds upon decay of the stem. The seed hull is covered with minute bristles that readily cling to clothing or fur for dispersal.

Where Found

Rice cutgrass is widespread across southern Canada and most of the United States. It is also found in the warmer parts of Europe.

Leaf Hair on Upper Surface

Varies:

no hairs,

hairs from base to tip

Leaf Arrangement

rolled in bud

Mature Leaf Width

Varies:

less than 5 mm,

6 to 15 mm

Stem

round

Seedhead

panicle

Life Cycle

perennial

Auricle

not present

Ligule

membrane

Ligule Length

Varies:

less than 1 mm,

1-2 mm

Plant Type

Grass