Plant Profile

Common Name: Corn

Latin Name: Zea mays

Dakota Name: wamnaheza

Ojibwe Name: mandaamin

Some of its history: Most people refer to commercially available speckled corn varieties as “Indian Corn”, but in reality, all corn is Indian corn! Corn is indigenous only to the Western Hemisphere and has sustained indigenous communities for millennia. Through contact with Europeans and other groups, corn has spread throughout the world to sustain several other communities of people outside of its area of origin.

For indigenous peoples, the origins of the corn they have grown since time immemorial are as diverse as the varieties they have grown. For many indigenous communities, the corn they have grown is a gift from certain beings that visited the people in a time of need who provided instructions on its planting, care, and harvesting. The corn in the Science Museum collections reflect this great variety of indigenous peoples and their corn - some are speckled, some are solid colors in hues of red, yellow, blue, and white, some are small, while others are as big as an adult’s thumbnail. Archaeological evidence of corn point to roughly10,000 years ago as its beginnings of use in Mesoamerica, possibly from the plant known as Teosinte.

Corn continues to be an important part of the seasonal and ceremonial lives of indigenous communities throughout the Western Hemisphere.

Some of its uses: Indigenous people have used corn in a variety of ways for food and have created wonderfully delicious and nutritious foods. Corn can be eaten raw or cooked on the cob. One of the most important aspects of corn is that it can be dried and stored for use throughout the year until the next crop is harvested. Dried corn can be cracked and made into soup, it can be ground and made into various breads and cakes, it can be soaked in lye and made into hominy, and many, many other recipes that indigenous communities have perfected. Corn kernels also serve in a variety of medicinal and ceremonial uses for many indigenous communities.

The kernels aren’t the only part of the corn plant used. Every part of the plant has important attributes that provide for medicinal, ceremonial, and everyday uses. For example, the husks of corn provide a material for creating a great variety of objects. When soaked in water, dried husks provide a very strong and durable weaving material. Bags, mats, containers, and even shoes can be made from turning the husks into cordage and woven into intricate designs. Dolls are also made from the husks.

Here are some objects from the Science Museum collections made from corn or depicting corn

Dakota Bag, with beaded cornstalk Catalog No.

Nez Perce Cornhusk Bag Catalog No. 49-9

Oneida Cornhusk Doll Catalog No.

Huichol Yarn Painting Catalog No. A94:1:2

Detail of cornstalk on Huichol yarn painting

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