Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Poales
Family:
Genus:
Species:
mays
ID:
908419

Status:
valid

Authors:
L.

Source:
wcs

Year:
1753

Citation Micro:
Sp. Pl. : 971 (1753)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000907754

Common Names

  • Zea mays
  • Maize Corn
  • Maize Zea

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Description

Zea mays (also called 'Maize', among many other common names) is a species of grass native to Central and South America. It is an annual grass with long, thin leaves and a tall, upright habit. It grows in open, sunny habitats, such as fields and roadsides.

Uses & Benefits

Zea mays is a popular ornamental plant, often used in gardens and as a houseplant. It is also used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments. It is also used as a food crop.

Cultivars, Varieties & Sub-species

Zea mays sub. huehuetenangensis (Iltis & Doebley) Doebley
Zea mays sub. parviglumis Iltis & Doebley
Zea mays sub. mays

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

Zea mays has a yellow flower with a green centre. The seed is small and black. The seedlings are short and thin.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Zea mays is a warm-season annual grass native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. It is easy to cultivate and propagate, and can be grown from seed or vegetative cuttings. It prefers full sun and well-drained soils, and can tolerate drought and poor soils. It is best to sow the seeds in spring, and the plants can be harvested in late summer or early fall.

Where to Find Zea mays

Zea mays is found in Mexico.

Zea mays FAQ

What is the scientific name of Zea mays?

Zea mays

What is the common name of Zea mays?

Maize

Where is Zea mays found?

Zea mays is found in Mexico and Central America.

Species in the Poaceae family

Achnatherum pekinense, Achnatherum pubicalyx, Achnatherum sibiricum, Achnatherum turcomanicum, Achnatherum brandisii, Achnatherum bromoides, Achnatherum calamagrostis, Achnatherum confusum, Achnatherum inebrians, Achnatherum jacquemontii, Achnatherum virescens, Achnatherum paradoxum, Achnatherum nakaii, Achnatherum pelliotii, Achnatherum haussknechtii, Achnatherum mandavillei, Achnatherum pilosum, Achnatherum parviflorum, Achnatherum staintonii, Aciachne acicularis, Aciachne flagellifera, Aciachne pulvinata, Acidosasa breviclavata, Acidosasa brilletii, Acidosasa chinensis, Acidosasa edulis, Acidosasa glauca, Acidosasa guangxiensis, Acidosasa lingchuanensis, Acidosasa nanunica, Acidosasa notata, Acidosasa purpurea, Acidosasa venusta, Acidosasa carinata, Acostia gracilis, Acrachne henrardiana, Acrachne perrieri, Acrachne racemosa, Acritochaete volkensii, Acroceras amplectens, Acroceras attenuatum, Acroceras boivinii, Acroceras bosseri, Acroceras calcicola, Acroceras chaseae, Acroceras diffusum, Acroceras elegans, Acroceras excavatum, Acroceras fluminense, Acroceras gabunense,

References

Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'L.' in the authors string.
POWO record for urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:426810-1: Govaerts R (ed.). 2023. WCVP: World Checklist of Vascular Plants [Version 11]. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. [WWW document] URL http://sftp.kew.org/pub/data-repositories/WCVP/ [accessed 20 April 2023].