Much like no. 1 [Zizania aquatica L.], but the pistillate lemmas firm and tough, glabrous or nearly so between the scabrous-hispid nerves, the abortive ones 1.5-2 mm wide, linear, tapering abruptly at the pubescent tip into the awn; pistillate palea glabrous. Two vars.

Gleason, Henry A. & Cronquist, Arthur J. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. lxxv + 910 pp.

©The New York Botanical Garden. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Flora of Indiana (1940) by Charles C. Deam

This is a form of the species which Fassett recognizes but Hitchcock does not. It seems to be distinct in our area. Its habitat is that of the species.  

……

Indiana Coefficient of Conservatism: C = 10

Wetland Indicator Status: OBL

Two varieties occur in Indiana.

Deam (1929): Wild rice formerly grew over large areas of swamp lands, and the grain was utilized by the Indians for food. This grass affords protection and food for water birds, especially wild ducks, and it is now often planted for these purposes.