Contains 2 accepted taxa overall.
Characteristics
Classification
Citation
ZEA Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 971. 1753.
-
TYPE: Zea mays Linnaeus
Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Herbarium Specimens | Status | Photos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zea mays ssp. mays | Corn, Maize | |||
| Zea perennis | Mexican Teosinte |
Identification Key
1. Pistillate inflorescences of cylindrical spikes, 2-5(10) cm thick, with 8-24+ rows of spikelets pairs, each inflorescence tightly and permanently enclosed by several leaf sheaths and a large prophyll, not disarticulating at maturity; caryopses 60-1000+, not concealed; staminate panicle branches not disarticulating below the sessile spikelets, lacking abscission layers, the central axis of the panicles polystichous, much thicker than the lateral branches
1. Pistillate inflorescences of cylindrical, distichous rames, 0.5-0.9 cm thick, with 2 rows of spikelet pairs, each rame usually enclosed by a single leaf sheath and a prophyll, disarticulating at maturity into fruitcases; caryopses 4-15, each one concealed within a fruitcase; staminate panicles composed of rames that disarticulate below the sessile spikelets and have evident abscission layers, the central axis of the panicles similar in width to the rames
2
2. Staminate spikelet (6.5)7.5-10.5 mm long, 2.5-3.5 mm wide; fruitcases 9-12 per spike, 6-10 mm long, 4-6 mm wide, the axial side (opposite of glume) pointed apically
2. Staminate spikelet 4.5-7(8) mm long, 1.5-2.5 mm wide; fruitcases 5-9(10) per spike, 5-8 mm long, 3-5 mm wide, the axial side (opposite of glume) blunt apically
Genus Synonyms
| Synonym | Full Citation | Basionym | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| No synonyms found. | |||