Bitterroot Restoration

Family: Poaceae
Range: Original habitat is obscure, probably S. America or Mexico
Parts Uses: Pollen, Seed, Stem
Common Names: Corn, Maize

Maize (Zea mays) is a fascinating plant. It is an annual grass and grown for human and animal food and for cooking oil. The kernels (grains) are milled into flour to make doughs for various uses such as snack foods, tortillas, bread, pone, etc. The grains are crushed to make hominy for Yankees and grits for southerners. Beer and whiskey for all are made by fermenting the grains. Varieties with a hard seed coating (the endosperm) explode when heated and are used for popcorn. Ornamental varieties are grown for colorful husks and kernels used in dried arrangements.

Propagation:

• Seed - sow April in individual pots in a greenhouse. Grow on quickly and plant out after the last expected frosts. A direct outdoor sowing, especially of some of the less sweet varieties, can be tried in May.
• Light: Corn is grown in full sun.
• Moisture: Corn requires about an inch (2.5 cm) of rain or irrigation water per week.

Medicinal Uses:

• Cancer
• Cholagogue
• Demulcent
• Diuretic
• Hypoglycaemic
• Hypotensive
• Lithontripic
• Stimulant
• Vasodilator
• Warts

Other Uses:

• Adhesive
• Fuel
• Oil
• Packing
• Paper