This vigorous annual normally has a single erect stem (culm) that can sucker from the base and forms an open habit. It has large broad lanced-shaped leaves and the male and female flowers appear during summer followed by editable fruit. 

Hardiness zones 3 to 11

Zea mays is thought to be naturally found in Sierra Madre in Mexico, North America growing on grasslands and has been  grown domestically for over 7000 years and is now found widespread throughout the world. 

It prefers  an open sunny wind protected position and grows in will drained  organic rich moist sandy clay soils that are tending acidic to neutral with a pH range from 5.8 tp 7.5 and is drought tolerant but frost tender.

Corn / Maize is grown for its edible fruit and for its foliage. It is cultivated in domestic vegetable gardens or on common land.  It is primarily grown commercially on large farms and the produce is used for human consumption, stockfeed and bio fuel. It is suitable for inland and coastal regions and establishes in one season but is short lived. 

Corn is also used for other purposes such as making smoking pipes or grown as classroom experiment and for creating a 'corn maze'. There are numerous cultivars and variations of the species please contact your local nursery for available varieties. ID 1817

Zea (ZEE-uh) mays (maze)

Poaceae (poh_AY-see-ee)
Grass Family