Zea mays japonica large varieties - seeds

This mix of large varieties of Ornamental Corn, also known as Zea mays japonica, produces large ears composed of grains in various vibrant colours. They range from red, pink and orange to blue, among many other shades. Reaching a height of 2m (7ft) in one year, this annual grass likes sunlight, fertile soil, and water.

Zea mays japonica is a tropical annual plant with running roots from the poaceae family. Native to Mexico, Central America, Colombia, Venezuela, southern Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, and Brazil, it was the staple food of Native American peoples before the arrival of Christopher Columbus. This plant has rapid growth, reaching a height of 2m (7ft) and a width of 50cm (20in) in one season. It has a single, thick, woody stem with several 20cm (8in) internodes, bearing only one leaf per node. Each leaf is alternate on either side of the stem. The large, lanceolate, arching leaves have a waxy texture and measure up to 10cm (4in) wide and 1m (3ft) long. They are light green with parallel veins. In spring and early summer, male flower panicles, 20cm (8in) long, and axillary female inflorescences of the same size appear, followed by the formation of large, colourful grains with a diameter of 1cm (0in). The colour difference is due to the presence of plant pigments such as carotene (yellow, orange) and anthocyanins (blue, violet, red), which are present in smaller or larger quantities and superimposed in different seed tissues. All the grains are edible, regardless of their colour.

Ornamental Corn will. of course, fit well in the vegetable garden. It is easy to cut the corn, leaving only a few leaves, and dry the ear upside down in a cool and airy place. They are easy to sow in a greenhouse or directly in the ground, even by children.