Maize: Rio Grande Red
(Zea mays)

Maize is an annual warm-climate crop in the grass family, thriving in open sunny environments with daytime temperatures of 20-24C. Maize is used fresh, frozen, canned, rolled and roasted for corn flakes, pressed for oil, or processed for ethanol as fuel. Maize is also an important feed source for poultry, swine and cattle. The whole plant is used as green fodder or as silage for cattle.

This variety was known as ‘Bloody Mary’ and has made its way around the US. We don't have the entire history, but it made its debut at a corn show in Chiacago in the 1870s, then made its way to Oklahoma, and then to Albuquerque in the 1950's. This accession/selection from Albuquerque was first listed in Seed Savers in the early 1970's and was grown along the Rio Grande. It was originally sold in the late 1800's as an open pollinated corn for finishing pigs. 

This dent corn dries well and makes a nice flour. It is used for livestock feed. It grows to about 2 meters in height and produces 1-2 ears per plant. The kernels are red with white spots. 110 days to maturity.