2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Tsitsaniya (lat. Zizania) - a small genus of herbaceous plants of the Cereals family. Other names are Zizania, Wild Rice, Water Rice. It is used exclusively for culinary and medicinal purposes, as well as for decorating water bodies. There are four species in the genus. Typical habitats in nature are rivers, lakes and coastal areas of fresh water bodies. The habitat is limited. Plants can be photographed in East Asia as well as North America.
Characteristics of culture
Tsitsania is represented by annual and perennial herbaceous plants, endowed with hollow stems that do not exceed 300 cm in length. The stems, in turn, bear foliage, part of which is located under water, and the other part flaunts on the surface. The leaf blades are rather large.
Inflorescences in representatives of the genus are paniculate, consist of unisexual spikelets. Flowers are both female and male. The former are formed at the top of the plant, the latter at the bottom. Fruits in the form of caryopses no more than 2-2.5 cm long. They are filiform, initially green, and brown or black as they mature.
Young stems of tsitsania appear above the water surface in the first decade of July, but the seeds ripen closer to September, under favorable climatic conditions earlier. Pollination of flowers is carried out by the wind (like many representatives of the Cereals family). Under the weight of large caryopses, inflorescences often break and are carried over long distances by the current, which sometimes complicates collection, but expands the area. Perennials hibernate at the bottom of reservoirs.
Productivity and application
It should be noted that tsitsania is a very fertile culture. It's hard to believe, but over 1000 kg can be harvested from 1 hectare of water area. The plant's grain is nutritious and has a unique composition. It is recommended for use by absolutely everyone: both young children and the elderly. Water rice saturates the body with important vitamins and minerals that are required to maintain the harmonious functioning of all organs and systems.
Today, water rice is actively used in Asian cuisine, it is used to prepare soups, side dishes, sweet soufflé-type dishes with fruits and berries. Also, the culture has won recognition among Canadian and American chefs. By the way, grain is recommended to be consumed during a diet, it quickly and for a long time satisfies hunger, minimizes blood sugar surges, and counteracts bad cholesterol.
Types of tsitsaniya
Quicania aquatic (lat. Zizania aquatica) is represented by annual herbaceous plants, the stems of which reach a length of two meters. A distinctive feature of the species is the absence of rhizomes. The leaf blades are relatively small, up to 2 cm wide. The aquatic plant blooms in August - September, which largely depends on climatic conditions. Also known as Canadian or Water Rice, Tuscarora. In nature, a representative of the genus grows along the banks of rivers and lakes in Canada.
Tsitsania broad-leaved (Zizania latifolia) is represented by perennial plants, which are equipped with creeping rhizomes and wide hollow stems. The leaf blade is wider than that of the previously described species, usually up to 3 cm. It blooms in the second or third decade of August, sometimes enters the flowering phase in early September. The species grows in coastal areas, in shallow waters. Found in India, China, Korea, as well as in Russia (Primorsky Territory).
How is the collection carried out?
The cultivation of water rice does not require any costs, everything happens under the influence of natural factors. The only difficulty is harvesting. It is harvested by hand, which determines the final price of the product. The collection is carried out on boats called canoes. On them, people swim up to the plants and, using a stick, grab ears of grain. After they are dried and cleaned.
