Zea

• WordNet 3.6
  • n Zea corn
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• • n Zea zē"ȧ (Bot) A genus of large grasses of which the Indian corn (Zea Mays) is the only species known. Its origin is not yet ascertained. See Maize.
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• • n Zea A genus of grasses, type of the tribe Maydeæ. It is characterized by monœcious flowers, the male forming a terminal panicle, the female a large axillary sessile spike wrapped in numerous leaf-like bracts or husks, and consisting of pistillate flowers densely aggregated in many rows upon a thick unjointed rachis. The only species, Z. Mays, the well-known Indian corn or maize, long cultivated throughout many warm and temperate regions, is supposed to be a native of America, but is not now known in a wild state. It is a tall plant with unbranched robust stems, large light-green leaves, a handsome long-stalked terminal panicle (known as the tassel), and very thick fertile spikes from the husks of which project long green slender styles known as the silk. The fruit is a hard roundish caryopsis (known as the kernel) partly inclosed by the chaffy remains of the four glumes and broad palet—the kernels and their rachis (the cob) forming the spike or ear of corn. The seeds furnish an invaluable food to man and to domestic animals; the stalks and leaves are used for fodder, and the husks are much used for filling mattresses and horse-collars, and for making door-mats; a coarse textile fabric, also, and paper of excellent quality, have been experimentally made from them. The cob, and sometimes the whole ear, is used as fuel. The chief value lies of course in the kernel. See maize, cut in preceding column, and cut under husk. Compare corn.
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• • n Zea zē′a a cereal having monœcious flowers. The only species is Z. mays, the well-known maize or Indian corn.
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