Iridescent Corn

Photo by Gayla Trail  All Rights Reserved

Isn’t this the most beautiful corn you have ever seen? I mean, I’ve seen some beautiful corn before, but the cob in the foreground appears to have been encrusted with precious gems.

Shane, a farmer at my local weekly farmers’ market brought these cobs with him last Thursday for show. He didn’t know the variety names since one of his neighbours grew it. We all stood around oohing and awing and snapping pictures like we had never seen anything like it in our lives.

Because we hadn’t!

As one onlooker remarked, “How does nature make colours like that?

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend Canada! Or as I am now calling it, Great Excuse to Stuff Your Face Weekend.

And if you happen to know the variety name, inquiring minds would love to know!

Gayla Trail
Gayla is a writer, photographer, and former graphic designer with a background in the Fine Arts, cultural criticism, and ecology. She is the author, photographer, and designer of best-selling books on gardening, cooking, and preserving.

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7 thoughts on “Iridescent Corn

  1. Hi Gayla, we’ve always called it ‘Indian Corn’ — but wow, you’re right — jewels indeed. reminds me of spinel. ;)

  2. Unfortunately I don’t think either of these are particularly edible — they’re very hard. You might be able to grind them for flour.

  3. Gayla, I’ve always loved your website. :-)

    This corn is so amazing! I don’t wear pearls but I wish I could have a Native American (First Nations in Canada, eh?) corn necklace…

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