Corn (Zea mays), also known as maize, is a tall, annual grass native to Mesoamerica and now cultivated globally as one of the world’s most important cereal crops. Belonging to the Poaceae family, corn is a pastoral and crop grass characterized by its sturdy stalks, broad leaves, and large ears containing rows of kernels that come in various colors, most commonly yellow. It has been selectively bred for thousands of years and now exists in multiple varieties, including sweet corn, dent corn, and flint corn.

Corn thrives in open fields, prairies, and cultivated farmland, often forming the backbone of agricultural systems. Its uses are highly versatile, ranging from human food and livestock feed to biofuel and industrial materials. Uniquely, it is wind-pollinated and monoecious, bearing both male and female flowers on the same plant. As a staple crop, Zea mays plays a critical role in food security, rural economies, and global agricultural landscapes.