Maratelli is a semifino rice native to the comune (municipality) of Asigliano Vercellese, in the province of Vercelli, Italy.Compared to other Japonica varieties, it is early-ripening, it has a good yield and, in the right weather conditions, allows for the early use of fields for other successive cultivation.Thus, Maratelli discovered a new variety derived from a natural hybrid of the then-widespread Chinese genus Japonica.The arrival of new, more productive varieties and poor wind resistance in the fields forced it to exit the markets."Maratelli" is a semi-early variety (15 days earlier than Chinese originario) which shows a medium height and a semifino, awnless pearl grain.