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Zea

Zea

9.3
A group of large grass plants that includes maize or corn grown for food
  • noun
  • /ziːə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Zea
  • Farmers planted Zea in large fields to maximize their corn production this season.
  • Zea mays

Examples

  • ARS entomologist Jimmy R. Raulston has long had his eye on a different pest: Helicoverpa zea.

    Academic text (1995)
  • And Coprinus and Zea, well, that's mushrooms and corn.

  • In the South, corn earworm moths, Helicoverpa zea, feast on corn before they move on to damage cotton.

    Academic text (1999)
  • They're waging war in Texas against Heliocoverpa zea, alias the corn earworm, cotton bollworm, or tomato fruitworm.

    Academic text (1994)
  • In the South, Zea is cultivated as a cereal crop, providing a staple food source.

  • In many cultures, Zea is ground into flour to make traditional breads and dishes.

Synonyms

genus Zea
vsZea
  • Specialized
7.7

A group of grasses that includes maize, the plant we call corn

highlights cultivated large grasses used as a cereal crop rather than wild species

Compounds

genus Zea
  • Specialized
7.7

A group of grasses that includes maize, the plant we call corn

Zea mays indurata
  • Specialized
9.9

A type of corn with hard outer kernels often ground to make cornmeal

Zea mays rugosa
  • Specialized
7.8

A type of corn with sweet young kernels eaten as food

Zea mays
  • Specialized
5.6

A tall plant grown for its large ears of corn

Zea saccharata
  • Specialized
8.4

A type of corn with young sweet ears that people eat as a vegetable

Zea mays amylacea
  • Specialized
9.9

A type of corn with soft starchy kernels used mainly to make flour

Zea mays everta
  • Specialized
6.0

A type of corn with small kernels that pop when heated to make popcorn

Zea mays indentata
  • Specialized
9.9

A type of corn with kernels that have hard and soft parts and a small central dent when dry

Surface Forms

Zea singular
Zeas plural

Etymology

The word Zea comes from an old Greek word zea that meant 'a kind of grain'. It is the scientific name for the group of grasses that includes maize or corn, especially Zea mays, so remembering Zea as 'grain' helps you link the name to corn and other cereal crops.