wild rice • n. a tall aquatic North American grass (Zizania aquatica) related to rice, with edible grains. ∎  the grain of this plant used as food.

rice, wild Zizania aquatica, native to eastern north America, grows 12 feet high; it has a long, thin, greenish grain; little is grown and it is difficult to harvest. Also known as zizanie, Tuscarora rice, Indian rice, and American wild rice (American rice is bulgur); called wild oats by some early travellers. Higher in protein content than ordinary rice at 14%.