Plants engage in intimate interactions with symbiotic microbes for the mutually beneficial exchange of nutrients. In a keystone study published in PLoS Biology, Van Deyze et al. (2018) describe the presence of nitrogen-fixing microbiota contained within an extensively carbohydrate rich mucilage found on the aerial roots of a Mexican landrace of maize (Sierra Mixe).
This species called Sierra Mixe or olotón maize basically self fertilizes and fixes the nitrogen balance in the soil and is a good thing to grow to help the earth. I will ask around to see if it also has any specific mystical or medicinal significance, but it looks like something that would be good for the skin or stomach and gut. More information as soon as I can get it. Feel free to post in the comments if you use this plant.
NIH Article with the Full Research Report for Free
To get involved with protecting this and other indigenous resources in Central and South America, visit Via Campesina.
Watch this video about this interesting corn and the scientists studying it:
