Annual plants mostly 1-3 metres tall, suckering at the base and with support roots developing at the lowermost nodes. Leaves 1 per node. Male spikelets each with 3 stamens. Female spikelets in 10-24 rows. Styles from the pistils long and silky. Grain plump at maturity, with a concave tip and narrowed base.

Unknown in the wild (first cultivated in Mexico)

A cultigen of uncertain origin first cultivated in Mexico and certainly the result of selection from wild forms.

A wide range of botanical varieties are recognised for their ornamental and culinary uses and in Australia there are about 20 cultivars of the commercial Sweet Corn.

Together with wheat and rice a most important cereal crop, especially in the tropics.

Source: Spencer, R.; Aldous, D.; Stajsic, V.; McGeary, D (2005). Poaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.