Wild Rice is a native aquatic grass of shallow lakes, streams, and marshes across the Great Lakes region and eastern North America. It produces large, nutritious grains that were the primary food staple of the Anishinaabe and other Great Lakes indigenous peoples and are still harvested today. Migrating waterfowl, particularly canvasbacks, ring-necked ducks, and teal, consume enormous quantities of seeds.
Habitat
Shallow lakes, slow rivers, and marshes in the Great Lakes region and eastern North America
Diet
Seeds are critical food for migratory waterfowl and many marsh birds
How common
Common
Recent Wild Rice sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spot a Wild Rice? Identify it instantly.
Point Huck at any plant or animal and get an instant ID, rarity, and field notes — building your personal nature collection as you go.
Get Huck — free