Back
Zea mays L.
| Family Name: | Poaceae (Gramineae) |
| Common Name: | Corn, Maize, Sweet Corn, Jagung, 玉米, 玉蜀黍 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Grass & 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 & 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
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. |
