Botanical name of rice

Today, we are going to be treating the botanical name, definition, characteristics, varieties and botanical names of the varieties of rice. Read through and gain at least one more thing today! So, let’s get started! What is rice?

What is Rice?

The grass species Oryza sativa, or less frequently, Oryza glaberrima, produces rice as its seed. Although the phrase can also be used to refer to wild or uncultivated types of Oryza, wild rice is typically used to refer to species of the genera Zizania and Porteresia.

Physical Description of Rice

The rice plant is completely cultivated throughout the year. Its general appearance is that of a grass-like plant, and its total height can reach up to 1.2 meters. This specific plant has long, flattened leaves that are attached to extremely hollow stalks. The rice plant has a rather fibrous root system that frequently has broad, spread-out roots.

Many nations, including China and Asia, as well as some Southeast Asian civilizations, regard rice cultivation to be a highly essential aspect of their cultures. Therefore, it is obvious that rice plays a significant role in these nations’ food communities.

Botanical Description of Rice

• Family- Poaceae
• Self-pollinated crop
• Semi-aquatic plant and consists of arenchymatic tissues. The presence of arenchymatic cells on leaf, culm and roots can diffuse oxygen from aerial parts downward to roots.
• The plants are about 1m tall but certain deep water varieties can elongate upto 5m with the rise in water level.

Botanical Name of rice

The botanical name of rice is Oryza sativa.

Characteristics of a rice

• The rice plant can grow to 1–1.8 m (3–6 ft) tall, occasionally more depending on the variety and soil fertility. 
• It has long, slender leaves 50–100 cm (20–40 in) long and 2–2.5 cm (3⁄4–1 in) broad. 
• The small wind-pollinated flowers are produced in a branched arching to pendulous inflorescence 30–50 cm (12–20 in) long. 
• The edible seed is a grain (caryopsis) 5–12 mm (3⁄16–15⁄32 in) long and 2–3 mm (3⁄32–1⁄8 in) thick.

Taxonomic Tree of rice

Kingdom: Plantae

Clade: Tracheophytes

Clade: Angiosperms

Clade: Monocots

Clade: Commelinids

Order: Poales

Family: Poaceae

Genus: Oryza

Species: O. sativa

Varieties of rice and their botanical names

There are about twenty three species out of which only two species have been known of their commercial value being used for cultivation. The two are;

• Asian rice – Oryza sativa
• African Rice – Oryza glaberrima

Uses of rice and its derivatives

• Applications for rice derivatives in the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries are numerous.
• Rice derivatives aid in preserving moisture levels, enhancing flavor, improving texture, and extending the shelf life of finished food products.
• Rice derivatives are used to enhance the properties of the dough as well as to make food products including custard, sausage, biscuits, and cakes. 

• Additionally, the cosmetic sector uses rice derivatives to make detergent and pediatric medication powder, and the pharmaceutical industry uses them to make syrups and tablets.
• Baby food, energy drinks, and nutritional supplements are the main uses for rice protein. Due to their low vegetable nature, rice derivatives are both kid and adult friendly in terms of digestion. In the food and beverage business, rice derivatives are quickly becoming one of the greatest dietary supplements and healthy foods.

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