This variety comes from Peliti Seed Bank in Greece.
Zea mays L. Peliti
Nomenclature
Latin NameZea mays L.
VarietyPeliti
Common name in English and GermanPurple Sweet Corn, Lila Mais
Regional namesMais morado (Latin America), Μωβ καλαμπόκι (Greece)
Geographic data
Variety’s range of distributionGreece, Peliti
Crop's center of diversitySouth America (Andes Region)
Provenance and collection data
CollectionGrains and pulses
Seed sourceSpore's partner
PartnerRanda Toko
ProgrammeRanda Toko
Cultivation
Life cycleAnnual
Months suitable for planting seedsApril, May
Seed startingIndoor, Outdoor
Days to harvest90
Growth habitGrass
Stem orientationUpright
Plant height (cm)120
Sun exposureFull sun
Water RequirementsModerate water demand
Soil preferenceWell drained
Successional communityPioneering, Grassland
Potential use in agro-designPart of the three sisters companion planting method.
Reproduction
PollinationCross pollinating
Reproductive biologyMonoecious
Likelihood of hybridisationVery likely
Use
Consumable partsSeeds
Gastronomic usePurple mais is an important culinary staple in the Andes. One of the main ingredients of a Peruvian drink Chicha Morada is purple sweet corn. Here is a recipe:
https://www.eatperu.com/chicha-morada/
This website provides more information about the traditional usage and preparation of Chica by the Incan peoples in the Andes: https://journalofethnicfoods.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s42779-020-00063-3