Cutgrass (Leersia oryzoides, Prodr. Veg. Ind. Occ.: 21 (1788))

Family: Poaceae

Author: (L.) Sw.

Bibliography: Prodr. Veg. Ind. Occ.: 21 (1788)

Year: 1788

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Leersia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Temp. Northern Hemisphere to NE. Mexico

Description

Cutgrass, scientifically referred to as Leersia oryzoides, is a notable species belonging to the Poaceae family. This plant species is widespread, predominantly thriving in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, extending southwards to Northeastern Mexico. The resilience and adaptability of Cutgrass allow it to flourish in diverse environmental conditions, making it a common sight in wetland areas and along water bodies.

Leersia oryzoides is characterized by its rough-textured leaves which can cause minor abrasions upon contact, a feature that likely contributes to its common name, “Cutgrass.” This perennial grass forms dense clumps and produces pale green to yellowish-green flowers, which are relatively understated but contribute to the plant’s overall appeal in its natural habitat.

As an essential component of wetland ecosystems, Cutgrass plays a dual role in serving as a habitat for various wildlife species and in stabilizing soil to prevent erosion. Its presence indicates a healthy, functioning wetland environment, underscoring its ecological significance.

To understand the taxonomic history of Leersia oryzoides, it is important to acknowledge the work of the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, whose classification efforts laid the groundwork for its scientific nomenclature. The species was later described in more detail in the “Prodromus Vegetationis Indiae Occidentalis” published in 1788 by Olof Swartz, a significant botanical reference that has helped in understanding the distribution and characteristics of this grass.

In summary, Cutgrass (Leersia oryzoides) is an ecologically vital species within the Poaceae family, celebrated both for its ubiquity in the Northern Hemisphere and its crucial role in wetland ecosystems. Its distinct physical properties and historical botanical significance make it a remarkable subject of study for botanists and ecologists alike.

Common Names

Eng: cut-grass, cutgrass, rice cutgrass, ricegrass, rice cut grass
Deu: europäische reisquecke, wilder reis
Dan: risgræs
Fra: faux-riz, léersie faux-riz, leersie faux riz, léersie à fleurs de riz
Fin: hukkariisi
Swe: hukkariisi, vildris
Nld: rijstgras
Nno: villris
Nob: villris
Cym: reis y gwter
Ita: riso selvatico
En: Cutgrass, Rice cutgrass, Ricegrass, Rice Cut Grass, Cut-grass
Be: Леерсія рысападобная
Bg: Оризов троскот
Ca: Herba peluda
Zh: 蓉草
Cs: Tajnička rýžovitá
Da: Risgræs
Nl: Rijstgras
Et: Jõgi-metsriis
Fi: Hukkariisi, Jokihukkariisi
Fr: Leersie Faux Riz, Faux-riz, Léersie faux-riz, Léersie à fleurs de riz, Faux Riz, Léersie faux riz
De: Europa-Reisquecke, Gemeine Reisquecke, Queckenreis, Reisquecke, Sumpfreis, Wilder Reis, Wildreis, Kleistogamer Queckenreis, Europäische Reisquecke
It: Asperella, Riso selvatico
Ko: 겨풀
Lv: Parastais parīss
Lt: Ryžinė ravenė
Nb: Villris
Nn: Villris
Fa: برنجی چمن
Pl: Zamokrzyca ryżowa
Es: Hierba peluda
Sv: Vildris, Hukkariisi
Cy: Reis y gwter

Synonyms

• Asperella oryzoides ((L.) Lam.)
• Homalocenchrus oryzoides ((L.) Mieg ex Pollich)
• Poa hoffmanniana (Opiz)
• Asprella flexuosa (Dulac)
• Leersia asperrima (Willd. ex Trin.)
• Oryza clandestina var. patens (Baen.)
• Oryza clandestina var. inclusa (Baen.)
• Asprella oryzoides ((L.) Schreb.)
• Leersia oryzoides var. patens ((Wiesb. ex Baen.) Rouy)
• Leersia oryzoides f. clandestina ((Weber) Eames)
• Leersia oryzoides f. glabra (A.A.Eaton)
• Poa paludosa (Honck.)
• Phalaris oryzoides (L.)
• Leersia oryzoides f. inclusa ((Weisbord ex Baen.) Dörfl.)
• Ehrharta clandestina (Weber)
• Leersia oryzoides var. purpurascens (N.H.F.Desp.)
• Oryza clandestina f. picta (Waisb.)
• Oryza clandestina f. maculosa (Waisb.)
• Oryza clandestina f. patens (Weisbord ex Baen.)
• Oryza clandestina f. inclusa (Weisbord ex Baen.)
• Leersia oryzoides var. inclusa ((Wiesb. ex Baen.) Rouy)
• Oryza oryzoides ((L.) Dalla Torre & Sarnth.)
• Oryza clandestina ((Weber) A.Braun ex Asch.)
• Leersia oryzoides f. picta ((Waisb.) Soó)
• Leersia oryzoides f. maculosa ((Waisb.) Soó)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Albania (native)
• Altay (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Austria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• California (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Delaware (native)
• Denmark (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• Florida (native)
• France (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hainan (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Montana (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New York (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Romania (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Utah (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Cuba (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Sep 3, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 3, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 3, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 3, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 3, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jun 25, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 2, 2019 by pokrzywka (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 7, 2020 by zakaria britel (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 11, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 25, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 3, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 3, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 15, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Jacques MARÉCHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)

Taken Nov 1, 2015 by EOL − karid (cc-by-nc)

Taken Aug 25, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 11, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Oct 22, 2012 by EOL − Zoya Akulova (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)

Taken Aug 11, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 11, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 11, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 15, 1998 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Oct 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Corine OOSTERLEE (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 31, 1854 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2702905)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1109632-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Leersia oryzoides (L.) Sw.)

Specifications

Growth form: Rhizomatous

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth rate: Moderate

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.8

Ph minimum: 5.1

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 9

Bloom months: [‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]

Soil nutriments: 7