Oryza glaberrima

Rice is an annual grass that belongs to the Gramineae family. The cultivated species of rice are basically two, namely, the Asian Oryza sativa (common rice), growing worldwide, and the African Oryza glaberrima, growing on a limited scale in West... 

Like wheat and barley, rice has been a source of food for people since thousands of years. Rice production originated in China, and was spread to South and Southeast Asia. Cultivated rice can be divided into two separate species Oryza sativa (Asian rice) and Oryza glaberrima (African rice). In terms of nutritional value and value of production, rice is the most important crop in the world. For 3.3 billion people living in Asia, rice provides 35—80% of their total calorie intake. 

Linares, O.F. 2002. African rice (Oryza glaberrima) history and future potential. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 99,1360-1365. 

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