Botany
Stems are erect, cylindrical, hollow, jointed and striate, from 1 to 1.5 meters. Leaves are flat, with long close sheaths. The leaf blade is linear, 15-30 cm long, up to 2 cm wide, with rough, serrulate and prickled edges. the panicles are 20-30 cm long, drooping and nodding as the grains ripen. The spikelets are laxly disposed, stalked, one-flowered, 7-9 mm long. The grain is enclosed in persistent pales, oblong, ovoid, or oblong-oivoid, smooth and compressed.

Distribution
Extensively cultivated in the Philippines.

Constituents and characteristics
The rice bran contains 20 percent oil and a higher percentage of protein than the polished variety.
Of the 7 percent proteins in rice, 0.14 is a globulin, 0.04 an albumin, and the remainder, a protein (oryzagenin) similar to the glutenin of wheat. soluble in dilute alkali.
Malted rice is peptic, carminative and tonic.

Parts used and preparation
Grains, polishings, roots and rhizomes.

Uses
Nutrition
Rice is a staple article of diet, and polished in preparation for eating. Polished rice is deficient in vitamin B and has been cause of beriberi.
From the polishings is prepared an extract called tiki-tiki, a wonderful source of vitamin B, both a preventive and cure for infantile beriberi.
Rice bran is a healthy additive toi the making of muffins, cakes, cookies, providing both fiber and nutritive value.
Others
Rice wine, tapoi, is prepared from rice.
Rice oil and furfural is obtained from crude rice bran.
Rice hulls are made into cellulose products, like rayon.
Rice mill fuel by-product of cabronaceous ash is a source of sodium silicate, soap, pigments, carbon.
Rice straw can also be a source of paper.
Bundled rice straw used in the making of brooms.
Ashes of hulls used for cleaning of discolored teeth.
Folkloric
Decoctiion of roots and rhizomes for anuria.
Lye from burned culms is considered abortive.
Decoction and poultices of grains are emollient.
Poultice of soft rice, applied to back and chest for coughgs and bronchitis.
Rice water used as an enema.

Availability
Commercial cultivation.