Corn
ExplorePlants
Corn
Zea mays
Corn is a tall plant that grows big ears filled with yellow kernels. It's a popular food for people and animals!
Habitat: Farms and fields
Appearance
The Corn has tall, thick green stalks with long, broad leaves that reach towards the sun. At the top is a feathery "tassel" of male flowers, and lower down are ears covered in silky hairs, which develop into rows of colorful kernels.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassLiliopsidaOrderPoalesFamilyPoaceaeGenusZea
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Corn cannot plant its own seeds; it relies completely on humans to grow!
Corn is actually a giant grass, related to wheat and sugarcane!
Each tiny silk on a corn ear connects to one kernel! That's a lot of silks!
Wild corn from long ago had super tiny ears, only a few inches big!
Special abilities
Ability
Wind-Powered Pollen
Corn can use the wind to carry its lightweight pollen from the top tassel to silks on other plants, ensuring fertilization.
Ability
Strong Anchor Roots
Corn has sturdy prop roots that grow out from the lower stalk, helping to anchor the tall plant against strong winds.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 150-300 cm
- Spread
- 30-60 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Pollination Method
- Wind
Ecological connections
eats
Human
Homo sapiens
Cultivated globally as a major food source.
eaten by
Western corn rootworm
Diabrotica virgifera
Larvae feed on corn roots, damaging the plant.
eaten by
Fall armyworm
Spodoptera frugiperda
Larvae chew on corn leaves and bore into ears.
eats
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
Often feeds on corn kernels in fields.
Traits
Summer Blooming
Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
Grain Crop
This human use trait denotes species cultivated as grain crops, harvested for their edible dry seeds (grains), which are a staple food source.
Agricultural
This human use trait describes species cultivated or domesticated by humans for agricultural purposes, including crops and livestock.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Rapid Growing
Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.
Also known as
Maize
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Corn?
150-300 cm
How wide does Corn spread?
30-60 cm
When does Corn bloom?
Summer
Is Corn edible?
Yes
Is Corn toxic?
None
What is Corn's lifecycle?
Annual
How is Corn pollinated?
Wind
Where is Corn usually found?
Farms and fields
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
