Rice

Oryza sativa

Native to:
China, Guam, Palau

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Poaceae
Genus:
Oryza
Species:
Oryza sativa
USDA Symbol:
ORSA

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Annual
Growth Habit:
Graminoid
Height:
180 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
jun,jul,aug
Food Forest:
Contains edible parts

Wildlife Benefits

Caterpillars:
★★★☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

almond moth (Cadra cautella), Cacao moth (Ephestia elutella), corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea), Eversmann's rustic (Actebia fennica), Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), Faronta albilinea, Mexican rice borer (Eoreuma loftini), rice moth (Corcyra cephalonica), Rice stalk borer (Chilo plejadellus), Small Mocis Moth (Mocis latipes), stored nut moth (Paralipsa gularis), Striped rice borer (Chilo suppressalis), Sugarcane borer (Diatraea sp.), Western yellowstriped armyworm (Spodoptera praefica), Least Skipper (Ancyloxypha numitor), Ocola Skipper (Panoquina ocola)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Butterflies:Purple-washed Skipper (Panoquina lucas)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, waterfowl
Fall Color:
yellow

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
fertile, moisture-retentive clay loam
pH:
5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
tolerates poor drainage
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
Thrives in flooded conditions typical of paddies

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
None required
Germination Time:
5–14 days
Notes:
Seeds germinate readily in warm, flooded conditions at 25-35°C. Direct seeding into saturated or flooded soil is standard practice.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI