Rice is an annual grass native to Asia & Africa. It provides more than one fifth of the calories consumed by humans. It is the 3rd largest crop in the world (behind corn & wheat). Once a common crop in the south it is rarely grown here anymore because it is so labor intensive. Rice withstands water very well and is often purposely flooded several times during the growing season to drown pests and encourage growth. The photo shows a demonstration field of rice using the variety 'Carolina Gold.'
