teosinte
/ˌtiːoʊˈsɪnti/
noun
- A wild grass from Mexico and Central America that is the ancestor of modern corn (maize).
- Scientists study teosinte to understand how ancient farmers turned it into corn.
- The seeds of teosinte are still eaten by some people in rural Mexico.
- Teosinte looks very different from modern corn, with small, hard kernels.