Teosinte, Annual teosinte
Zea mexicana

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A grass. The wild ancestor of maize.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Central America, Mexico, North America

How it is used for food

The young shoots are boiled and eaten. Whole mature seeds are soaked in water then chewed. The dried kernels can be popped like pop corn. The young immature spikes can be eaten. The seeds are roasted and added to coffee.

Edible parts

Shoots, seeds, spikes, seeds - coffee

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Maiz safe

Synonyms

Euchlaena mexicana Schrad.; Zea mays subsp. mexicana (Schrad.) Iltis;