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Oryza sativa L.
| Family Name: | Poaceae (Gramineae) |
| Synonyms: | Oryza communissima Lour., Oryza glutinosa Lour., Oryza ruribaris (Desv.) Steud. |
| Common Name: | Padi, Paddy, Rice, 稻米 |
Rice is a widely cultivated staple in Asia. During Hindu festivals such as Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, rice grains are ground into powder, dyed in a variety of colours from blue to pink and used to create intricate designs on the ground called Rangoli. Besides being beautiful to look at, the rice paste is also traditionally an offering to small creatures like ants and sparrows to encourage harmonious coexistence.
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Grass or Grass-like Plant (Tall Grass (Poaceae)), Aquatic & Hydrophyte (Waterside / Marginal) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Annual |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Chromosome Number | 24 |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | An annual grass, it can grow up to 50 to 130cm tall. It has a clumping growth form. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | The leaves are arranged in two ranks, the leaf sheaths initially enclosing each other, forming a pseudostem. The leaf blade has a scaberulous surface, margins and an acute apex. |
| Stems | The culms are erect and glabrous consisting of nodes and internodes. Each node gives rise to a single leaf. |
| Flowers | The flower inflorescence is a terminal panicle. The flowers are single, borne on a short pedicle. Each flower is bisexual with 6 stamens and 2 plumose stigmas. |
| Fruit | The fruit is a caryopsis varying in size, colour and shape. |
| Habitat | A widely cultivated plant, It is grown in the tropics, subtropical and temperate areas with a frost-free period of more than 130 days. |
| Cultivation | It is best grown under full sun, partially submerged in water in fertile, loamy soils. The optimum pH level of flooded soils is 6.5 to 7.0. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Seeds Food (Fruit or Vegetable): A vital food crop, it is the staple food in the tropics especially in South-East Asia. The grains are usually cooked by boiling in water or by steaming and are usually eaten with vegetables, fish and meat. Flour made from rice is used in cake mixes, baby food, puddings, white sauces and cosmetics. Timber & Products: The rice hulls or husks are used as fuel, bedding and when charred, is used to filter out impurities in water and in the manufacture of charcoal briquettes. Rice straw is used in the manufacturing of straw boards, paper pulp and as animal feed and bedding. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Fruits, Ornamental Form |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Pond / Lake / River, Marsh / Bog |
| Thematic Landscaping | Water Garden, Economic Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Waterlogged Soils (Does not Drain Site), Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Caryopsis / Grain |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 30848 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5218 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
