Rice Cutgrass
Leersia oryzoides
- Native to:
- Albania, Austria, Azores, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hainan, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Prince Edward I., Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Türkiye-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United States, Uzbekistan
Sam Thomas (www.flickr.com)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Leersia
- Species:
- Leersia oryzoides
- USDA Symbol:
- LEOR
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- green
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Crocidophora serratissimalis, Least Skipper (Ancyloxypha numitor), Peck's skipper (Polites peckius)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- waterfowl, songbirds, small mammals
- Fall Color:
- yellow
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, nutrient-rich, clay or loam
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- commonly found in wetlands and marshy areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require wet conditions and light for germination. Often germinates readily in mudflats or shallow water.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI