central stalk of a dried rice plant
Refers specifically to the dried central stem of the rice plant, often used in traditional crafts or as a material. Commonly appears in the compound 藁しべ (わらしべ, 'rice straw stalk').
See also: わらしべ
I made a small broom using rice straw stalks.
In the old tale 'The Straw Millionaire,' the protagonist gains wealth by bartering starting from a single rice straw stalk.