I can tell you its not a rice plant.. rice is in the grass family, that doesnt look like it at all. Basically, like most grains, its the seeds you mill down to use in a variety of ways.

Do you have a picture of the flower itself?

I dont know what it is otherwise, maybe with a picture of the flower someone can better guess.

I know it's not a "real" rice plant, but that's what it's been called by the people that handed it down. It looks nothing like a rice plant so I have no idea of why it got that name. I haven't seen the flower yet, but will post a picture when it blooms.

maybe it was named after someone named Rice.

I've been out of town for a over a week and when I checked late today it had bloomed and it's definitely a salvia. I'll take a pic tomorrow and maybe someone can ID it.

{{gwi:683705}}

wow. That's beautiful.

It's Salvia guaranitica Black and Blue. It's a great plant for attracting hummingbirds...they love it!
Joann

I'm not sure, but I don't think it's a 'Black & Blue'. I have a B & B and the leaves on this are smaller & the patterns are different. These leaves also don't have the dark veins at the stems. My B & B isn't blooming yet to compare blooms.