Japonica

Japonica refers to several species of plants, animals, and other organisms that are native to Japan. The term is derived from the Latin word for Japan, "Japonia", and is used in the scientific names of species that were first described in Japan. The most well-known species with this name is probably the Japonica rice (Oryza sativa var. japonica), a variety of rice that is widely cultivated in East Asia.

Japonica Rice

Japonica rice is a short-grain variety of rice that is commonly grown in Japan, Korea, and parts of China. It is known for its sticky texture when cooked, which makes it ideal for dishes such as sushi. Japonica rice is also used in a variety of other dishes, including rice porridge and rice cakes.

Other Species

In addition to rice, there are several other species that are referred to as "japonica". These include:

• Camellia japonica, a species of flowering plant in the family Theaceae, native to Japan, Korea and China.
• Cryptomeria japonica, a species of evergreen tree in the family Cupressaceae, also known as the Japanese cedar.
• Pieris japonica, a species of shrub in the family Ericaceae, also known as the Japanese andromeda.
• Rhododendron japonicum, a species of flowering plant in the family Ericaceae, also known as the Japanese azalea.

See Also

• Flora of Japan
• Fauna of Japan
• Japanese cuisine