Red Rice

Oryza punctata Kotzchy ex Steud.

Poaceae (Grass Family)

▲field with red rice above cultivated rice

▲ young plants

▲▼ stems

stem showing long hairs at collar region▲

 

Red Rice:

·         upright-growing summer annual grass, 2.5-3 feet tall, with bright green stems and leaves

·         often is distinguishable in a rice field by being taller and greener than desired cultivated variety of rice

·         leaf blades are 1-2 feet long and ½ to 1 inch wide

·         inflorescences is loose, drooping panicle

·         can be distinguished from cultivated rice by presence of long hairs at collar, tall triangular membranous ligule and auricles

·         has staggered seed maturity, prone to “shattering” (dropping seed from inflorescence before harvest), delayed germination, and can contaminate harvested rice grains and reduce quality of cultivated rice