Zea - Teosinte

The teosintes are a group of large grasses of the genus Zea found in Mexico, Guatemala and Nicaragua.

There are five recognized species of teosinte: Zea diploperennis, Zea perennis, Zea luxurians, Zea nicaraguensis and Zea mays. The first three subspecies are teosintes; the last is maize, or corn, the only domesticated taxon in the genus Zea.


Species
Zea mays. Maize, known as corn in some countries, is a cereal grain domesticated in Mesoamerica and subsequently spread throughout the American continents. After European contact with the Americas in the late 15th and early 16th century, maize spread to the rest of the world.
Maize is the most widely grown crop in the Americas (270 million tonnes annually in the United States alone). Hybrid maize, due to its high grain yield as a result of heterosis ("hybrid vigour"), is preferred by farmers over conventional varieties. While some maize varieties grow up to 7 metres (23 ft) tall in certain locations, most commercially grown maize has been bred for a height of 2.5 metres (8 ft). Sweet corn is usually shorter than field-corn varieties.

Gaultheria

Gaultheria is a genus of about 170-180 species of shrubs in the family Ericaceae. The name memorializes M. Hugues Gauthier of Quebec, a mis-spelt honour bestowed by the Scandinavian Pehr Kalm in 1748. These plants are native to Asia, North and... more >>>

Barleria

Barleria is a genus of plants in the family Acanthaceae.

Species
Barleria cristata (Bluebell barleria, Crested Philippine violet, Philippine violet), is an ornamental plant of the Acanthaceae family, which is native of... more >>>

Banksia

Banksia is a genus of around 170 species in the plant family Proteaceae. Iconic Australian wildflower and popular garden plants, they are easily recognised by their characteristic flower spikes and fruiting "cones" and can vary from... more >>>

Ixora

Ixora is a genus from the family Rubiaceae, consisting of tropical evergreens and shrubs. Though native to tropical areas in Asia, especially India, ixora now grows commonly in tropical climates in the USA, such as Florida. Ixora is also... more >>>

Lachenalia

Lachenalia is a genus of bulbs in the Hyacinthaceae family, which are usually found in Namibia and South Africa. Most of these plants have a dormancy period, and the new roots of these plants will always grow every year.

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