Kingdom: Plantae
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta
Superdivision: Spermatophyta
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Subclass: Commelinidae
Order: Cyperales
Family: Poaceae -- Grass family
Genus: Zea -- corn
Species : Zea mays -- corn
Subspecies Zea mays ssp. mays
Subspecies Zea mays ssp. parviglumis
* Taxonomy from Plants Database, 7/23/06
Links to Zea taxonomy information:
National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Taxonomy Browser - Zea
Germplasm Resources Information Network
(GRIN) Taxonomy - Zea
Some information about Maize 🌽
Maize, commonly referred to as corn in the United States, has been considered a unique plant since the time that the indigenous peoples of the Americas developed it to be their staple food. It is central to many sacred mythologies and creation stories which are still honored today (1, 2). Maize was introduced from the New World to the Old World in the 1400's, and it was planted between the harvesting of spring and winter crops, filling an important niche as a summer crop (1). Today, the United States, China, the European Union, Brazil and Mexico are the world's largest producers of maize (3). Together, the US and China produce approximately 60% of the world maize crop (4). Maize accounts for 15-20% of the total daily calories in the diets of more than 20 developing countries, located mainly in Latin America and Africa (5, 6). 68% of the land devoted to maize is located in the developing world, however only 46% of maize production occurs there, indicating the need for improving yields in developing countries where it is a major source of direct human consumption for many of the poor (7).
The United States is the world's largest producer and exporter of maize (3). Maize is the most important feed grain in the US because of its efficient conversion of dry substance to meat, milk and eggs, compared to other grains (8). In fact, the US devotes ~60% of its maize crop to animal feed. Approximately 20% is exported and t