Wild rice (also called Indian rice) is not a true rice, but is more closely related to barley. It is a wild annual grass found growing in shallow water and in soft mud of freshwater lakes and rivers. The plant may reach nine feet (2.7 m) in height. The leaves, which are flat and pointed, can grow more than three feet (90 cm) in length and about two inches (5 cm) in width. The edible grains are borne in clusters on top of a long stalk. Wild rice is a good source of protein. It is an important source of food for such animals as ducks, geese, and deer.

Wild rice is native to the region extending from southeastern Manitoba eastward to the Atlantic and as far south as Florida. However, almost all harvested wild rice comes from California, Minnesota, and Canada. It is usually harvested and processed by machines similar to those used for true rice. Indians, who have harvested wild rice for centuries, still usually use hand methods.

True rice is Oryza sativa; wild rice is Zizania aquatica. Both are of the grass family, Gramineae.