Corn (Zea)
Corn Genus Details
Corn, a single species and a member of the grass family, is an annual plant that is an important economic crop worldwide. The unbranched plant grows 3-10 feet tall. Tassels at the top of the plant are male (pollen) flowers with female (ears) flowers located lower on the stem. Flowering in temperate areas occurs primarily during summer months, but will occur during the spring or well into autumn in more southern regions, depending on the planting date. Corn has apparently the largest pollen grain size, but the large size prevents it from becoming atmospheric to the extent of other grasses.
Corn Allergy Info
Corn pollen is reported to cause pollinosis, and cross-reacts with timothy grass, although it has a much weaker allergenicity. Individuals living near crop fields may develop pollinosis due to the sheer volume of exposure to the grains.
Corn Pollen Description
Grains are spheroidal to ovoidal, sometimes elliptical. The exine is thin and the surface is granular to finely reticuloid. Poaceae apertures are 1-porate, with the pores usually circular to ovoidal.
Grains are 22-122 micrometers in diameter.
This plant belongs to the grass family. All pollen grains in this family are similar to the Poaceae (grass) grain pictured here. Herb. MIN
This plant belongs to the grass family. All pollen grains in this family are similar to the Poaceae (grass) grains pictured here. Herb. MIN
Species in This Genus
Allergenicity Legend:
Mild Allergen | Moderate Allergen | Severe Allergen | Allergy Test Available
Mild Allergen | Moderate Allergen | Severe Allergen | Allergy Test Available
Corn (Zea) is a genus of the POACEAE family.
This genus includes the following allergenic species:
This genus includes the following allergenic species: