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 The Geographic Origin
Maize is the only major grain native to the Western Hemisphere. Other important grains such as barley, rye and wheat originated in southwestern Asia. Although most scientists agree maize originated in western Mexico, some aspects of its genealogy are still a mystery.
The predominant theory suggests that corn descended from teosinte (Zea mays spp. parviglumis), a wild grass native to Mexico. Teosinte shares some common traits with modern corn, but it also has many differences. The teosinte plant produces several tillers, whereas corn has one main stem. Teosinte stalks each bear several ears, but they are much smaller than modern corn ears. Each teosinte ear has between 6-10 kernels. Modern corn has hundreds of kernels per ear. A few husks loosely enclose the teosinte ear, or spike, which shatter at maturity, dispersing its seeds. Also, mature teosinte grains have a hard cupule and are triangular in shape (Figure 2).
The word teosinte is derived from the Nahuatl (Aztec language) word teocentli, which means, “support of the gods.” Although its mature grains are extremely hard, they can be processed into nutritious foods. Popped teosinte seeds are indistinguishable from popped corn. These seeds also may be ground into a meal for baking. Young teosinte stalks produce a sweet juice.
Archaeologists use many clues to investigate the origin of plants. Grain imprints in clay, dessicated or carbonized grain remains, and wild populations of Zea help scientists uncover the mysteries on where corn originated, who domesticated corn, and how cultivation has changed this important plant. Scientists continue to investigate and debate the possible ways teosinte and/or other wild Zea species hybridized and developed into the modern, domesticated maize (for more see Resources).
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