teosinte

Tall, stout, annual grass (Zea mexicana) of the family Poaceae, native to Mexico. Related to corn, teosinte grows in large clumps, producing bundles of fruiting spikes enclosed in husks and with silk hanging from the upper ends, similar to corn ears. Species of corn have recently been crossed with teosinte to produce a perennial variety of corn.

Find more information on teosinte. Upgrade to Britannica Online for more on teosinte.