In order to solve the problem of lack of theoretical basis in the design and simulation analysis of Zizania latifolia processing, harvesting and other equipment, research on the characteristics of Zizania latifolia materials were studied. Static load compression experiments were carried out on Zizania latifolia using a texture apparatus to obtain the stiffness, damage strength and modulus of elasticity of Zizania latifolia under different compression directions and compression rates, and the microstructure of Zizania latifolia was obtained by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to analyze the intrinsic mechanism of the variability of the mechanical properties of Zizania latifolia under different compression directions. The experimental results showed that Zizania latifolia was anisotropic material. The average stiffness values of Zizania latifolia in the X axis, Y axis and Z axis were 37.88 N/mm, 36.66 N/mm and 50.82 N/mm respectively. The average damage strengths were 0.74 MPa, 0.72 MPa, 0.88 MPa, respectively. And the average modulus of elasticity was 1.73 MPa, 1.61 MPa, 2.33 MPa, respectively. The compression direction had a highly significant effect on the stiffness, elastic modulus and damage strength of Zizania latifolia (p<0.001), and the effect of compression rate on stiffness, elastic modulus and damage strength was not significant in the range of compression rate from 30 to 70 mm/min (p>0.05). The microstructural features in the X-axis and Y-axis directions were similar and different from those in the Z-axis direction. The distribution of pores along the X-axis and Y-axis directions is the reason for the small values of compressive mechanical properties in these two directions. The results of this paper could provide theoretical reference for the packaging, storage and mechanized production of Zizania latifolia.