Sp. Pl.: 974 (1753); Gen. Gram.: 370 (1986).- Type-species: Zea mays L.
Description:
* Annual or rarely perennial. Leaves broad.
* Female inflorescence axillary; a single raceme wrapped in one or more spathes; internodes fragile swollen, bearing a single sessile spikelet. Male inflorescence terminal or digitate or paniculate racemes. Racemes with paired spikelets; internodes tough.
* Female spikelet with truncate, flat callus. Lower glume crustaceous, smooth. Style single and very long, pendulous from inflorescence tip (in Z. mays glumes short, exposing the grain).
American genus with 4 species, on eof them the important crop maize.