Corn threw its lot in with humanity (Pollan)
September 30th, 2007 | Published in Agriculture, Biology, Evolution, Quotes | 5 Comments
Without humans to plant it every spring, corn would have disappeared from the earth in a matter of a few years. The novel cob-and-husk arrangement that makes corn such a convenient grain for us renders the plant utterly dependent for its survival on an animal in possession of the opposable thumb needed to remove the husk, separate the seeds, and plant them.
Plant a whole corncob and watch what happens: If any of the kernels manage to germinate, and then work their way free of the smothering husk, they will invariably crowd themselves to death before their second set of leaves has emerged. More than most domesticated plants (a few of whose offspring will usually find a way to grow unassisted), corn completely threw its lot in with humanity when it evolved its peculiar husked ear. Several human societies have seen fit to worship corn, but perhaps it should be the other way around: For corn, we humans are the contingent beings. So far, this reckless-seeming act of evolutionary faith in us has been richly rewarded.
–Michael Pollan, The Omnivore’s Dilemma (2006), pp. 26-27
September 30th, 2007 at 12:08 pm (#)
While it is an interesting point how humans and corn have filled a need for each other, I take issue with the statement that “The novel cob-and-husk arrangement that makes corn such a convenient grain for us renders the plant utterly dependent for its survival on an animal in possession of the opposable thumb needed to remove the husk, separate the seeds, and plant them.”
Would we say such things about a coconut? After all, it *is* rather difficult to get into them, in fact, a few degrees more difficult than corn, but I would not presume that a coconut requires opposable thumbs to open. That would just be silly. :)
September 30th, 2007 at 12:29 pm (#)
Edman: It’s certainly a bit of truth wove into a mythic retelling. I just find the perspective interesting.
However, the difference between coconuts and corn is that coconuts can reproduce without human intervention. Corn cannot.
October 2nd, 2007 at 6:41 pm (#)
The discriminatory life of nature is absolutely glorious. “If we were to judge nature by common sense or likelihood, we wouldn’t believe the world existed.” Annie Dillard
There are many a flower that would live upside down if not for the bee.
October 5th, 2007 at 8:29 am (#)
(after doing some further reading)
Touche!
October 16th, 2007 at 3:46 pm (#)
As a small-time field corn (and sweet corn) farmer, I question the validity of Pollan’s claim. Deer have certainly had no trouble eating my corn, despite their lack of opposable thumbs. Squirrels, hogs, cattle, and goats likewise have no trouble with whole cobs, although they might prefer the corn husked and shelled (so would I.) I’ve also seen plenty of random cases of isolated corn stalks or clusters of corn stalks growing in the field that I never planted.