Zea
(Zea or Zeia was the old Greek name for Spelt, or some similar common Cereal, and is found as far back as Homer). SYN. Mays. ORD. Gramineae. A monotypic genus. The species is a well-known, tall, half-hardy Grass. Maize, probably, ranks next to Rice in its importance as a food-plant; it is very largely cultivated throughout the warmer regions of the globe, and is imported into England in immense quantities. A fine flour, known as Corn Flour and Maizena, is prepared from the grain of Z. Mays, and is largely employed in the making of light puddings, custards, &c. Numerous varieties are grown in gardens, most of them sufficiently hardy to endure the open air. They thrive in any fairly good soil, and may be increased by seeds. Z. Mays (Maize).* Guinea or Turkey Wheat; Indian Corn; Maize; Mealies. fl., spikelets unisexual, monoecious, the males in a terminal panicle, two-flowered, the females in large, axillary spikes, longitudinally many-seriate, one-flowered. June. fr., spikes (known as "cobs") long and thick, sheathed with imbricated pales. l. ample, entire, broad, flat. h. 3ft. Probably of American origin, 1562. (B. M. Pl. 296.) gracillima is a variety of very graceful habit.
Z. M. variegata (variegated).* This differs from the type in its leaves being striped with white. It is an exceedingly ornamental plant.