Maize in pre-Columbian China.
A certain Chinese herbal book presented to the emperor in 1505 shows a drawing of maize under the caption of Yiyi-ren (Job's Tears). Also, a Chinese poem written around 1368 contains a term yumi, which indicates maize. These new findings offer clear evidence that maize existed in China in the pre-Columbian era, or before 1492. Details of this evidence are discussed here.
Takeda Science Foundation, Osaka 532-8686, Japan. uchibaya@takeda-sci.or.jp
Masao
M
Uchibayashi
D001878:Books, Illustrated; D001901:Botany / Q000266:history*; D002681:China; D049668:History, 15th Century; D049669:History, 16th Century; D003313:Zea mays / Q000266:history*