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Zea mays

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Zea mays L.

Family Name: Poaceae (Gramineae)
Common Name: Corn, Maize, Sweet Corn, Jagung, 玉米, 玉蜀黍

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Grass or Grass-like Plant
Lifespan (in Singapore) Annual
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Plant Shape Grassy
Maximum Height 1 m to 4 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Mexico, Central America
Native Habitat Terrestrial (Agricultural Land)
Local Conservation Status Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only)

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form Annual herb that typically grows up to 2-3 m tall. It has an erect growth form with usually 1 main stem and 1-2 lateral branches.
Foliage Large leaves (0.3-1.5 m long, 5-15 cm wide) are linear (straight with parallel sides) to lanceolate (lance-shaped) with a prominent midrib. Each stem produces 8-21 leaves which occur singly on alternating sides of the stem.
Flowers Male and female flowers occur on the same individual. Male flowers are produced near the stem apex in a branched inflorescence known as a panicle, while female flowers occur in the leaf axils (the space between the upper leaf surface and the stem) in a modified spike inflorescence. Plants begin to flower 20-30 days from germination.
Fruit The fruit is actually a single corn kernel known as a caryopsis, The fruits are arranged in 4-30, consecutive rows that cover the surface of the cob. Fruits may be harvested 70-200 days after planting, depending on the cultivar type.
Cultivation Seeds may take 6 to 14 days to germinate. Depending on the varieties, the plant may take 70 to 200 days to mature.
Ethnobotanical Uses Edible Plant Parts : Edible Seeds
Food (Fruit or Vegetable)

Landscaping Features

Landscape Uses Parks & Gardens
Thematic Landscaping Economic Garden

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Moderate Water
Propagation Method Seed
Seed / Spore Germination Duration 4 days to 6 days

Foliar

Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Smooth
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Alternate
Foliar Attachment to Stem Sessile
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate, Linear)
Foliar Venation Parallel
Foliar Margin Entire - Wavy / Undulate
Foliar Apex - Tip Acuminate
Foliar Base Clasping
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Unisexual Flowers , Monoecious
Flower Colour(s) Yellow / Golden
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location Axillary, Terminal
Inflorescence Type Spikelet / Compound Spike, Panicle

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) Black, Purple, Red, White, Yellow / Golden
Mature Fruit Texture(s) Smooth
Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type

References

References

Grubben, G.J.H. & Soetjipto Partohardjono. 1996. Plant Resources of South-East Asia No 10. Cereals.. Holland: Backhuys Publishers. 199 pp.

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 1275
Species ID 2568
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 14 October 2021.
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