{"title":"Native American Corn","description":"\u003cp\u003eHarvest a bit of history with these rare and unique Native American corn varieties.\u003cbr\u003eOnce commonly known as Indian corn, the full breadth of maize extends far beyond the colorful ornamental ears many people recognize today. While those vividly patterned cobs still capture attention, they represent only a small piece of corn’s diversity. For thousands of years, Indigenous farmers across the Americas developed corn for specific uses—nutty flour corns for grinding and baking, hardy flint corns for storage and cooking, soft gummy (floury) corns prized for porridges, and popping corns long before modern hybrids existed. Together, these varieties tell a deeper story of corn as a foundational food crop, shaped by place, culture, and careful selection.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"gehu","title":"Gehu Early Yellow Flint Corn","description":"\u003cp\u003eAlso known as North Dakota Early Yellow Flint, Gehu was first introduced in 1889 by famous seedsman Oscar H. Will. In his catalog, Will described Gehu as a \"flint corn of beautiful, bright, glossy yellow color.\" He went on, \"I claim it to be the earliest valuable field corn in the world, superior to all other varieties of flint corn for cultivation in the Northwest.\" It was awarded first prize at the North Dakota State Fair in 1894. It is indeed the earliest variety of corn we've grown, usually pollinating around the 4th of July when other varieties are typically \"knee-high\", or so the saying goes. Compared to modern commercial hybrids, the yield would by no means be described as \"superior to all others,\" but it is respectable, considering the variety's early maturity. Ears are typically 8 to 10 inches long with 10 to 12 rows of kernels. 100 days to harvest. Each packet contains a minimum of 50 seeds.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gehu","offers":[{"title":"Packet (50 Seeds)","offer_id":44071556448505,"sku":"CO-FI-003","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/4450\/files\/gehu-early-yellow-flint-corn-seeds-39821258260729.jpg?v=1700362322"},{"product_id":"rhode-island-white-cap-flint-corn","title":"Rhode Island White Cap Flint Corn","description":"\u003cp\u003eBred by the Narragansett tribe of Rhode Island, this native corn variety has maintained local popularity for over 300 years.  Rhode Island White Cap Flint is traditionally used for making Johnny Cakes, thin cornmeal pancakes often served with butter and maple syrup.  Compared to modern hybrids it has modest yield, producing one or two long, skinny ears per plant.  However, it has been kept from extinction thanks to a small group of local enthusiasts who recognized the historical importance of the variety and sought to preserve it for future generations.  Seed has high oil content, compared to modern dent varieties, and also stores well.  110 days to harvest.  Each packet contains a minimum of 50 seeds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.threshseed.com\/pages\/contact-us\"\u003ecall\u003c\/a\u003e to inquire about larger quantities of this variety.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCheck out our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.threshseed.com\/products\/purple-succotash-bean?variant=44605949575417\"\u003eSuccotash Bean\u003c\/a\u003e to see yet another important historical variety developed by the Narragansett tribe.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rhode Island White Cap Flint","offers":[{"title":"Packet (50 Seeds)","offer_id":44071982727417,"sku":"CO-FI-005","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"4oz Bulk (~300 Seeds)","offer_id":46315596808441,"sku":"CO-FI-005-4OUNCE","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1lb Bulk (~1200 Seeds)","offer_id":46993914560761,"sku":"CO-FI-005-1POUND","price":21.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/4450\/products\/rhode-island-white-cap-flint-corn-seeds-30929730273437.jpg?v=1700331723"},{"product_id":"cherokee-flour-corn","title":"Cherokee Flour Corn","description":"\u003cp\u003eCherokee Flour Corn is a native corn variety prized for its large, floury kernels which are traditionally ground for making tortillas. Kernels are large and white with a thin, papery pericarp (the outer covering of the kernel that must be removed before grinding.) Twelve-foot-tall plants produce one to two ears each with individual ears measuring up to two inches in diameter and seven inches in length. 120 days to harvest. 50 seeds per packet.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cherokee Flour","offers":[{"title":"Packet (50 Seeds)","offer_id":44071010861305,"sku":"CO-FI-001","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/4450\/products\/cherokee-flour-corn-seeds-14072633589832.jpg?v=1700344507"},{"product_id":"seneca-red-stalker","title":"Seneca Red Stalker Corn","description":"\u003cp\u003eSeneca Red Stalker is a native corn variety originating from the Seneca Nation of western New York.  Ten-foot-tall plants produce beautiful green leaves and deep purple-red stalks.  Seneca Red Stalker is a great Indian corn for fall decorations as the mature ears are very ornamental with dark purple husks and shiny multicolored kernels. Ears are typically 8 to 9 inches long.  Our stock has been selected for uniform purple stalk color and is suitable for use as a living row marker in agricultural research applications.  Approximately 120 days to harvest.  Each packet contains a minimum of 50 seeds.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Seneca Red Stalker","offers":[{"title":"Packet (50 Seeds)","offer_id":44072019132665,"sku":"CO-FI-007","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/4450\/files\/seneca-red-stalker-corn-seeds-39821283590393.jpg?v=1746116249"},{"product_id":"sallu-yah","title":"Sallu-yah Cherokee Corn","description":"\u003cp\u003eSallu-yah is an old Cherokee variety that produces cream-colored kernels that are traditionally ground for making tortillas.  Plants grow 7 to 8-foot-tall producing 1 to 2 ears per plant, each measuring 6 to 7 inches long and 8 to 10 rows around.  Although they originate from the same tribe, this is not the same as the variety \"Cherokee Flour Corn\".  Comparatively, the kernels of this variety are slightly smaller and more round. The plants are also shorter.  The original USDA source for this strain of Sallu-yah is PI213744.  Approximately 130 days to harvest.  Each packet contains a minimum of 50 seeds.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sallu-yah","offers":[{"title":"Packet (50 Seeds)","offer_id":44071993213177,"sku":"CO-FI-006","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/4450\/products\/sallu-yah-corn-seeds-14074873217096.jpg?v=1700352794"},{"product_id":"gummy-corn-sweet-corn","title":"Gummy Corn Sweet Corn","description":"\u003cp\u003eGummy Corn is a Native American sweet corn variety donated to the USDA in 1976 by Cora Blackbear of the Fort Berthold Mandan-Hidatsa-Arikara Reservation in North Dakota.  The name \"Gummy Corn\" likely comes from the general term used by the Hidatsa's to refer to sweet corn.  Plants are more compact than most other heirloom sweet corns—around 5' tall—making \"Gummy Corn\" an excellent choice for small gardens.  Plus, they consistently produce two 6-8\" ears per plant!  Sweet, yellow kernels are especially delicious when harvested young, but also hold well in the field\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e—\u003c\/span\u003eup to two weeks after silk tips have dried.  80-90 days to harvest.  Each packet contains a minimum of 50 seeds.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gummy Corn","offers":[{"title":"Packet (50 Seeds)","offer_id":44071577944313,"sku":"CO-SW-004","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/4450\/products\/gummy-corn-sweet-corn-seeds-30665049538717.jpg?v=1700336594"},{"product_id":"argentine-cateto-orange-flint-corn","title":"Argentine Cateto Orange Flint Corn","description":"\u003cp\u003eArgentine Cateto Orange is an heirloom variety of flint corn with roots dating back to at least the 15th century.  With its glossy, orange kernels, this widely adapted heirloom is a worthy representative of the Argentine class of flint corns, which are known for their high-carotenoid content and hard, flinty kernels.  Such varieties, known commonly as Cateto flints or Argentino flints, have for centuries been regarded as high-quality grinding corns for use in making cornmeal and grits.  Even today, these important heirlooms are enjoying a resurgence in popularity, fueled by a demand for higher-nutrient food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeyond their use for grinding, orange-colored corns like Argentine Cateto are gaining a whole new following as craft distillers take note of their high carotenoid content.  Carotenoids, a naturally occurring class of pigments found in plants, break down into terpene ketones (known to distillers as an 'ionones') during fermentation, imparting a rose color and floral, fruity, or hay-like aromas, depending on the particular iso-forms present in the mash.  In this way, heirloom corns like Orange Cateto afford craft distillers the ability to create distinctly flavored whiskeys and bourbons, as their vast genetic diversity leads to dramatic variation in the types and quantities of natural compounds present in the barrel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn our trials, Argentine Cateto Orange held up well to drought, heat and even extreme wind events.  The plants grew approximately seven to eight feet in height, producing one to two ears each.  The ears were well-formed, 14-16 rows around, with densely packed, dark orange kernels.  No disease or other issues were noted.  Argentine Cateto matures approximately 100 days after sowing.  Each packet contains a minimum of 50 seeds.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Argentine Cateto Orange","offers":[{"title":"Packet (50 Seeds)","offer_id":46228453589241,"sku":"CO-FI-020","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"4oz Bulk (~460 Seeds)","offer_id":46441941434617,"sku":"CO-FI-020BULK","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/4450\/files\/argentine-cateto-orange-flint-corn-seeds-1132437264.jpg?v=1739975492"},{"product_id":"blue-fox-flour-corn","title":"Blue Fox Flour Corn","description":"\u003cp\u003eBlue Fox Flour Corn is an Indigenous flour corn that produces glossy, round, dark blue kernels traditionally ground into a vibrant blue flour. According to USDA GRIN records, the variety was traded to the Sac and Fox (Meskwaki) people sometime in the mid-20th century and is understood to have originated with the Kickapoo, who reportedly used it for ceremonial feast foods. Its survival reflects a long tradition of intertribal exchange among tribes of the central regions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn our trials, Blue Fox proved productive and well adapted. Plants reached 6–8 feet in height and developed large tassels with strong pollen shed. While some natural male sterility segregated within the population, ample pollen from fertile plants ensured good kernel set. The plants also produced abundant silks several days ahead of pollen shed, a trait that helps buffer pollination under stressful or unpredictable conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEars were consistently well filled with smooth, dark blue kernels and showed excellent characteristics for flour corn. After trialing several blue flour corns with mixed results, Blue Fox stood out as dependable and easy to grow, outperforming other similar varieties we’ve tested. Its combination of cultural significance and field reliability makes it a compelling choice for growers interested in both heritage and performance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeed stock for this variety was generously provided by the USDA National Genetic Resources Program. PI707967.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Blue Fox Flour Corn","offers":[{"title":"Packet (50 Seeds)","offer_id":47157698265337,"sku":"CO-FI-030","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/4450\/files\/blue-fox-flour-corn-seeds-1213993192.jpg?v=1767292269"},{"product_id":"big-horse-spotted-corn","title":"Big Horse Spotted Corn","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eBig Horse Spotted Corn is an Indigenous flour corn collected in 1950s from the Osage Reservation in northern Oklahoma.  Although little is known about the history of this variety, its beauty has endured, producing attractive, well-filled ears with a striking mix of blue, white, and bronze kernels marked by a distinctive spotted pattern.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eThe genetics of this variety is interesting in its own right—we think it would make great STEM project material for students interested in learning more about biology and genetics.  The spotting pattern appears to be caused by a transposon (jumping gene) insertion in one of the kernel color biosynthesis genes.  Dosage patterns are evident, suggesting possible Ac-Ds transposon activity. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eIf you have a young scientist interested in studying this variety, we'd encourage the exploration.  Perhaps we can even publish their findings on our blog!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eAs a flour corn, Bighorse has a relatively loose pericarp, making it well suited to grinding into cornmeal. Historically, Indigenous flour corns like this would have been used for flatbreads and other staple foods prepared on hot stones or griddles—the functional ancestors of modern tortillas. But even if you don't get around to grinding it, Big Horse Spotted corn is just fun to grow and would make a stunning \"Indian corn\" to use in fall displays. Matures approximately 115 days after sowing.  Each packet contains a minimum of 50 seeds.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eSeed stock generously provided by the National Genetic Resources Program. PI 213755\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Big Horse Spotted","offers":[{"title":"Packet (50 Seeds)","offer_id":47160810930425,"sku":"CO-FI-031","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/4450\/files\/big-horse-spotted-corn-seeds-1214010348.jpg?v=1767299527"},{"product_id":"northern-ute-flint-corn","title":"Northern Ute Flint Corn","description":"\u003cp\u003eNorthern Ute Corn is an Indigenous desert-adapted corn donated to the USDA in 1988 by LaDonna Johnson of Utah, who received the seed through her mother and grandmother. The variety is associated with the Northern Ute Tribe and originated in northeastern Utah near present-day Roosevelt and Fort Duchesne. It is notable as the most northerly adaptation of a desert corn type—traditionally grown in an arid climate with limited water. The donor suspected it to be closely related to ancient “cave corns” carbon-dated to 600–800 years old that were grown in the same region.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorthern Ute Corn is a flint-type corn that grows 7–8 feet tall, forming sturdy plants with large tassels. A small portion of plants show purple stalks or purple glumes, adding subtle visual variation. Ears are long and slender, typically 7–8 inches in length with 10–12 rows, packed with glossy, multicolored kernels in shades of blue, white, and yellow often accented by red stripes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTraditionally, this corn was ground for flour and also eaten fresh. The kernels show a flinty texture with some floury starch, making it suitable for dry grinding. Its ability to produce respectable yields with minimal water, combined with its geographic and cultural significance, makes Northern Ute Corn a rare and meaningful link between ancient desert agriculture and the northern edge of its historical range.  Matures approximately 115 days after sowing.  Each packet contains a minimum of 50 seeds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eSeed stock generously provided by the National Genetic Resources Program. PI 707985\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Northern Ute","offers":[{"title":"Packet (50 Seeds)","offer_id":47162059686137,"sku":"CO-FI-034","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/4450\/files\/northern-ute-flint-corn-seeds-1214012260.jpg?v=1767306668"},{"product_id":"branscombs-brilliant-ornamental-corn","title":"Branscomb's Brilliant Ornamental Corn","description":"\u003cp\u003eBranscomb’s Brilliant Ornamental Corn is a striking, multi-colored corn selected for beauty and abundance. The population traces back to seed assembled in the 1970s by Donald Branscomb of Clearlake, California, from corn purchased at a roadside market in Fresno. While the original USDA accession retains a legacy name, we offer this variety under a new name that preserves its documented history without perpetuating outdated terminology.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants averaged 7–8 feet tall and showed some natural variation, with roughly a quarter of the plants exhibiting deep purple stalks and others showing purple glumes. Tassels were large and productive, and yields were consistently good across the planting. Ears were well filled with a mix of glossy and lightly floury kernels in warm shades of black, red, orange, bronze, and occasional white—an especially rich and harmonious color range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis variety makes a stunning fall decoration, with rich, autumn-inspired colors that hold well on the ear. Beyond ornamental use, the kernels are also well suited to grinding for cornmeal and grits, offering both visual appeal and practical value. When the season was over, our chickens made quick work of the leftovers, finding it just as satisfying as we did.  All-in-all a practical and beautiful ornamental corn variety.  Matures approximately 115 days after sowing.  Each packet contains a minimum of 50 seeds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eSeed stock generously provided by the National Genetic Resources Program. PI 708638\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Branscomb's Brilliant","offers":[{"title":"Packet (50 Seeds)","offer_id":47162280902905,"sku":"CO-FI-035","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/4450\/files\/branscomb-s-brilliant-ornamental-corn-seeds-1214109932.jpg?v=1767446770"},{"product_id":"burro-mountain-popcorn","title":"Burro Mountain Popcorn","description":"\u003cp\u003eBurro Mountain is a small-eared white rice popcorn with a fascinating story.  Donated to the USDA in 1985, the seeds were reportedly found inside a clay pot discovered in the Burro Mountains of Grant County, New Mexico. According to accession notes, the vessel was estimated to be between 600 and 1,000 years old. While details of the original archaeological context are limited, the account places this corn within a region long associated with ancient maize cultivation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn our trials, Burro Mountain was remarkably uniform, with plants growing 6 feet tall and producing thick, few-branched tassels with good pollen shed.  The ears were well filled with pointed, ivory kernels.  The husks are especially thin and pliable, and would be good for making braided strands for display or storage.  All in all, if you are looking for a tasty popcorn with interesting history, Burro Mountain is an excellent choice.  Matures approximately 115 days after sowing.  Each packet contains a minimum of 50 seeds.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Burro Mountain","offers":[{"title":"Packet (50 Seeds)","offer_id":47162286735609,"sku":"CO-FI-033","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/4450\/files\/burro-mountain-popcorn-seeds-1214068554.jpg?v=1767400448"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/4450\/collections\/Seneca_Red_Stalker_1.jpg?v=1778085866","url":"https:\/\/www.threshseed.com\/collections\/native-american-corn\/native-american.oembed","provider":"Thresh Seed Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}