RICE 601 



from the fourth node. Rice roots are usually less de- 

 veloped, in proportion to culms and leaves, than those of 

 any other cereal. 



674. Culms. The height of the rice plant ranges 

 from about 24 inches to 60 inches. The number of culms 

 varies from 5-12, in some varieties, to 10-25 in the variety 

 Shinriki. The culm is of medium strength; color of 

 internodes light green to yellowish green, sometimes 

 brown; color of nodes dark green to brown, rarely dark 

 brown; culm wall, at base, usually thick, never very 

 thin ; just below the panicle, seldom thick but usually 

 strong; foliage moderately abundant, panicles usually 

 drooping. 



675. Leaves. The culm bears 5 to 7 leaves, including 

 1 or usually 2 basal leaves ; sheath green or light green, 

 8-12 inches long, sheath node light green, conspicuous; 

 ligule J to J inch long, white, sometimes light green, 

 acute or obtuse, often split; auricle usually white or 

 green, horny or membranous, usually prominent, hairy; 

 blade 14 to 21 inches long, J to f inch wide, erect or 

 ascending, glabrous or puberulent, often rough, particularly 

 toward the apex, prominently veined, apex acute or acu- 

 minate. 



676. Panicles and spikelets. The length of the rice 

 panicle is 8 to 11 inches, form medium ; peduncle strong 

 or medium, 14| to 18 inches long; axis of the panicle 

 glabrous, sleek, slightly rough toward the apex; panicle 

 branches somewhat rough, spirally arranged on the main 

 axis; secondary branches in 2 ranks on the axes of the 

 main branches; spikelets very strongly compressed 

 laterally, obtusely keeled, each with 1 perfect flower. 

 Half-whorls are not formed as in oat panicles. 



The 2 glumes are lance-shaped, pointed, 1-nerved, 



