This site is dedicated to providing information on Manoomin in the Great Lakes region. If you have news or information you would like included please contact us. Photo above by www.markscarlson.com
Bill Introduce in Michigan to name Manoomin the State Native Grain HB6323 reads "“Let it be known that Manoomin is a sacred and important component to many wetlands and has a cultural significance to many people of this state,’’ is co-sponsored by 16 Democrats and was referred to committee. More info...
Wild rice (Manoomin) is a cereal grain that is harvested and enjoyed throughout the Upper Great Lakes Region by people of varied cultural backgrounds. It has been a central component of the culture of the Anishinaabe people in the region for thousands of years and continues to be of great importance to many tribal communities. Its importance is noted by the fact that the Menominee tribe was named for this plant. Wild rice is also a key element of Great Lakes coastal and interior wetlands that provides food, cover, and spawning habitat for a variety of wildlife species.
Unfortunately, wild rice populations have declined throughout much of the plant’s historic range, due in large part to human impacts. Given the strong cross-cultural importance of this grain, sustaining regional populations of wild rice requires a commitment to multicultural approaches that recognize, respect, and weave together ways of knowing that are influenced by both traditional knowledge and western science.
Scientific Names: Zizania aquatica, Z. palustris, Z. palustris var. interior, Z. texana (found only in Texas).
Family: Poaceae
Habitat: Rivers, streams, lakes and ponds. Wild rice prefers shallow water with mucky or muddy bottom where there is a slight current.
Protected Status:
Zizania aquatica - Michigan (T) Ohio (T), Pennsylvania (R), Rhode Island (SC)
Zizania palustris var. interior - Kentucky (H)
Zizania texana - Texas (E)
E = Endangered, T=threatened, SC = Special Concern, R = Rare, H = Historical
Unfortunately, wild rice populations have declined throughout much of the plant’s historic range, due in large part to human impacts. Given the strong cross-cultural importance of this grain, sustaining regional populations of wild rice requires a commitment to multicultural approaches that recognize, respect, and weave together ways of knowing that are influenced by both traditional knowledge and western science.
Scientific Names: Zizania aquatica, Z. palustris, Z. palustris var. interior, Z. texana (found only in Texas).
Family: Poaceae
Habitat: Rivers, streams, lakes and ponds. Wild rice prefers shallow water with mucky or muddy bottom where there is a slight current.
Protected Status:
Zizania aquatica - Michigan (T) Ohio (T), Pennsylvania (R), Rhode Island (SC)
Zizania palustris var. interior - Kentucky (H)
Zizania texana - Texas (E)
E = Endangered, T=threatened, SC = Special Concern, R = Rare, H = Historical
This web site is based upon work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under Agreement No. 2008-03528.