Different Kinds of Corn Stalks

Flint

• Flint, also known as Indian corn, has a hard shell and a hard kernel and is generally used as feed for animals or decoration. It grows 7 to 12 feet tall, produces one to two slender ears of corn and is insect-resistant. This field corn is typically white, orange or red and comes in varieties such as Longfellow or Garland Flint.

Dent

• Dent is very popular as animal feed. The starchy kernel has a hard shell with a dent on top. It falls between the flint and flour in regards to firmness and can be ground into cornmeal. The stalks grow 7 to 12 feet high, and the plant produces one to two ears of corn per stalk. Dent is considered a field corn and is typically yellow or white but can come in all colors. Aztec Red is one variety of dent that is produced in the United States.

Sweet

• Sweet corn is the most popular and commonly grown corn and is used for human consumption. It is yellow or white and is harvested earlier in order to retain its sweetness. For this reason, the stalks are shorter and the ears are smaller than field corn. White corn stalks are 5 to 8 feet tall and produce approximately three ears per stalk. A common white corn is silver queen. Yellow corn stalks are 3 to 10 feet tall and produce two to five ears per stalk. Two common varieties are the Golden Bantam and Early Sunglow.

Flour

• Flour corn is the oldest type of corn and is one of the only corns that can be ground into fine flour. The kernels are soft and starchy and typically come in white or yellow but can come in colors such as blue. The stalks are 5 to 9 feet tall. It takes 75 to 125 days for full maturity. Two varieties of flour corn are Cheyenne Red and Navaho Blue.

Popcorn

• Popcorn kernels have a soft, starchy center covered by a hard shell. The kernels are white or yellow and when heated the center explodes. Corn is high in insoluble fiber and contains good sources of vitamins B1, B5, C and E and minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium, iron and zinc