indica Most rice that is grown and eaten around the world today is of the common Asian variety, Oryza sativa. It is generally divided into two main groups, indica rices and japonica rices, and a third, smaller group called javanica. Indica rices tend to be longer-grain rices that grow better nearer the equator, where day length is more constant. These rices generally have a lower yield per acre than japonicas. Classic indicas include basmati, the long-grain fragrant rices including Della rices, and Carolina-style long-grain rices.