Corn (Franchise)

Corn, also known as Maize, is a food crop that makes minor appearances in the How to Train Your Dragon Franchise.

Biology
Corn (Zea mays) is a tall plant related to grasses that began cultivation in Central America over 2000 years ago. Depending on the variety, Corn can grow taller than a human on a single stalk. It produces its seeds in discrete bundles called "Ears". Like other grain crops, the seeds are the main edible portion of the plant and can be further processed into a variety of food items.

Corn must be planted in close proximity, or rows, to maximize pollination. Their tall stalks leave them vulnerable to high winds. Corn, as other plants, have a variety of pests and diseases. One such fungus, called "Corn Smut", damages the ear, but is actually considered a gourmet food in Mexico.

Function
The main purpose of growing Corn is to eat the seeds, for both humans and animals. In the Franchise, Dragons - particularly the Monstrous Nightmare - also eat corn.

In reality, other uses include household items such as pipes out of the corn cobs or brooms, decoration, bait for fish and animals to hunt. In modern times, corn can be utilized to produce ethanol and biofuels.

Book of Dragons
In one scene of this Movie Short, Bork the Bold and his Wife are siting around a fire, eating roasted corn ears. A Monstrous Nightmare emerges from the bushes and steals their corn, bowl and all. Bork attempts to retrieve the corn, and wielding two ears to pummel the dragon with, jumps atop the Nightmare. The Nightmare flames up, roasting Bork and making popcorn from the ears.

School of Dragons
In this game, players can grow and harvest various crops to complete "Farm Job" quests. Corn is one such crop. A bag of corn seeds cost 36 coins (non-members) and take 10 minutes to grow.

Trivia

 * Though in modern times Corn is cultivated across the World, it was only grown in the Americas during the Viking Age.