Rice Cut Grass
(Leersia oryzoides)

Other scientific names: Asprella oryzoides, Homalocenchrus oryzoides, Oryza oryzoides, Phalaris oryzoides

French names: Léersie faux-riz

Family: Grass Family (Poaceae)

Group: Grasses

Distinctive features: Tiny downard-pointing barbs that can cause serious cuts.

Leaves: Grass-like, lined with tiny barbs on the underside.

Native/Non-native: Native

Notes: Watch out for this plant if you are hiking along stream courses or in wet areas dressed in short pants! You can get cut up quite badly if you tangle with a patch of this.

Photographs: 27 photographs available, of which 7 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

  

Rice Cut Grass grows along shallow streams where the ground is always wet.

It gets its name from the numerous tiny downward-pointing barbs that line its leaves and stem.

Here is a closeup of these barbs.

Although the barbs are tiny they are very stiff and can deliver a very serious cut.

Barbs along the stem.

Rice Cut Grass Flowers unfurling in August.

A nice patch in the sunlight.
  

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