Zea mays Sweet corn (Gramineae)

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Zea mays
Sweet corn
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The Zea mays plant species is found in Original habitat is obscure, probably S. America or Mexico. It is a member of the Gramineae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Sweet corn.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Zea mays
Common Name:  Sweet corn
Family:  Gramineae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  None known

Mature Height:  2   Mature Width:

Habitat:  Not known in the wild.

General Uses: A glue is made from the starch in the seed[13]. This starch is also used in cosmetics and the manufacture of glucose[61]. A semi-drying oil is obtained from the seed[57]. It has many industrial uses, in the manufacture of linoleum, paints, varnishes, soaps etc[21, 61]. The corn spathes are used in the production of paper, straw hats and small articles such as little baskets[74, 171]. A fibre obtained from the stems and seed husks is used for making paper[189]. They are harvested in late summer after the seed has been harvested, they are cut into usable pieces and soaked in clear water for 24 hours. They are then cooked for 2 hours in soda ash and then beaten in a ball mill for 1½ hours in a ball mill. The fibres make a light greenish cream paper[189]. Be careful not to overcook the fibre otherwise it will produce a sticky pulp that is very hard to form into paper[189]. The dried cobs are used as a fuel[171]. The pith of the stems is used as a packing material[171].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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