Zea mays
Maize
Zea mays, commonly known as maize or corn, is more than just a global dietary staple. In traditional medicine, various parts of the plant are utilized for their therapeutic potential. From soothing urinary tract ailments with corn silk to leveraging its antioxidant properties, this versatile cereal offers significant medicinal value.
- Scientific name: Zea mays
- Family: Poaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Poales and the family Poaceae. Finally, it is identified by its genus, Zea.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Poales | WCVP |
| Family | Poaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Zea | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Zea mays, is recognized by various common names depending on the language spoken. In English, it is widely referred to as maize, while in French, it is called maïs, and in German, it is known as Mais. Additionally, in the be-tarask language, it is called кукуруза, and in vep, it is referred to as Kukuruz.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| en | maize | Wikidata |
| fr | maïs | Wikidata |
| de | Mais | Wikidata |
| be-tarask | кукуруза | Wikidata |
| vep | Kukuruz | Wikidata |
| es | maíz | Wikidata |
| af | mielie | Wikidata |
| am | በቆሎ | Wikidata |
| ar | ذرة شامية | Wikidata |
| arz | دره | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical presence across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its distribution can be observed within the borders of Great Britain and Ireland. Moving toward Middle Europe, the plant is also found throughout the country of Austria. Furthermore, its range extends into Belgium, which serves as another key location for its growth. Finally, the species is documented within the territories of Czechia-Slovakia.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Hungary | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Netherlands | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Poland | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Switzerland | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as maize or corn, possesses a distinct anatomical structure where each part serves a specific physiological role. The roots form a robust fibrous system that anchors the plant and absorbs essential nutrients from the soil, while the sturdy stems provide the necessary structural support for upward growth. Attached to these stems are long, parallel-veined leaves that facilitate photosynthesis to fuel the plant's development. As the plant matures, it develops a thick, central stalk that carries the weight of the developing ears. Finally, the reproductive process involves the female flowers, where the style acts as a crucial channel to receive pollen, ensuring the successful production of seeds.- Total parts
- 13
- Scientific sources
- 18
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| roots | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| style | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stems | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stalk | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| silk | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| powdered plants | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| husk | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruits | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| corn silks | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Zea mays has 186 reported phytochemicals identified across 229 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, starch, anthocyanins, G1, glucose.
- Total chemicals
- 186
- Scientific sources
- 229
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| starch | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| anthocyanins | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| G1 | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| glucose | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| luteolin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| proline | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| sucrose | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| sugar | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| C3G | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Zea mays has 17 reported activities identified across 28 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Neuroprotective, Anticancer, Diuretic, Hypolipidemic.
- Total activities
- 17
- Scientific sources
- 28
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diuretic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypolipidemic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiadhesive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidepressant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihypertensive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Zea mays has 54 reported medicinal uses identified across 68 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include oxidative stress, salt stress, abiotic stress, antioxidant, blood pressure.
- Total uses
- 54
- Scientific sources
- 68
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| oxidative stress | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| salt stress | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| abiotic stress | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| blood pressure | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cold | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| drought | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| glycation | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypertension | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |