By Emily Dreher
Reiman Gardens
Iowa State University

Literally described as the “grain of the gods” by the Nahu`atl Indians, Balsas River teosinte, Zea mays, ssp, Parviglumis, is identified as the direct ancestor of maize, or corn.
Following its discovery in the Balsas River Valley of Mexico in 1896, the people of Mexico quickly found that maize was both useful and adaptable to their culture and cultivation quickly spread to Central and South America and areas of North America. Today, there are five types of modern maize: popcorn, sweet corn, dent (field) corn, flint corn and flour corn.
 
Although maize is a descendant of teosinte, the seeds and plants look much different. The seeds of teosinte are triangular, dark brown to black in color, and much smaller than maize seeds. The teosinte female ears bear approximately 5 to 12 kernels, whereas the maize ears may contain 500 or more kernels. 

Additionally, the mature teosinte kernel is easily dispersed due to its stony casing known as a fruitcase. The fruitcase is helpful in the reproduction process, as it survives the digestive tracts of animals that then spread the seeds. Unlike teosinte, maize kernels are tightly attached to a central cob. These kernels often remain on the cob when it falls to the ground. This causes inadequate light and competition among the emerging plants.  Therefore, maize is dependent on humans for cultivation. Another major physical difference is the lack of a central spike on the tassel (male flower) of teosinte. 

To learn more about the origin of corn visit the Patty Jischke Children’s Garden at Iowa State University’s Reiman Gardens.  You will find both seeds and plants of teosinte as well as Mexican species of maize. The Origin of Corn display is an outreach project of the laboratory of Patrick Schnable, professor, Agronomy.

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Two print quality photos are available.

teosinte seeds, 768 KB

teosinte plants, 736 KB