More on Maize and Its Growth
Corn or Maize – Zea mays
Zeamayssubsp.mexicana
Zeamayssubsp.mays
Variation in ear size and kernel color fromMexican landraces of corn
Steps from Teosinte to Maize1. Maize cobs do not shatter (fall apart) whereas teosinte ears shatter
when mature2. Each teosinte grain is netled in a hard, deep floral structure the
cupule and covered by a hard sheath (the glume). The grains of corn are naked and held outside a collapsed cupule
3. Each teosinte cupule contains a single fertile spikelet; maize cupules have two fertile spikelets
4. Teosinte cupules are arranged in 2 ranks (rows) but maize are in 4 to 10 rows
5. Teosinte has long primary branches that each ends in a male tassel and there are numerous tiny ears along each branch. Maize has short primary branches that end in a single ear – only a few ears per plant; male tassel at apex of plant
Hugh Iltis – then and now
Apical dominance
Apical dominance
Apical dominance
Teosinte to Maize
Feminized Tassels
Feminized Tassels
Sweet Corn Traditions
Boiling Sweet Corn
Traditional Consumption
Grilling Sweet Corn
Traditional Pop Corn Variety
Corn Popping
Squanto and Pilgrims
North Eastern Native American Groups
Three Sisters Mound System
Three Sisters Mound System
Three Sisters Planting Scheme
Benefits of Three Sisters Mounds• In the Northeast where ground was frequently cold and damp in early
spring, mounds allowed the soil to warm up and drain more quickly• Mounds allowed an increase in soil organic matter by repeatedly
incorporating dead plant material with soil in mounds• Decomposition of dead plant material increased soil nutrients; also
growing beans which are N-fixers increased soil N for all plants in the mound
• Mounds minimized soil compaction (people did not walk on mounds, but around them) and reduced soil erosion as fields were not constantly plowed or dug up
• Mound system allowed easy regulation of plant spacing and plant populations