I've been reading everything I can find about Nero Spinoso Italian maize. It is a very old variety similar to Floriani Red Flint, known for its outstanding flavor and very dark, almost black seed color.
I am developing my own dark pigmented landrace flint corn and I would really like to incorporate Nero Spinoso into my program, however I can't find a single seed source on the internet.
If this is truly a Peruvian or central American variety. Then in may grow poorly at Italy's high latitude. Also, corns with high anthocyanins in the leaves tend to grow poorly.
Either of these traits, or both combined, could explain why people aren't growing it.
If this is truly a Peruvian or central American variety. Then in may grow poorly at Italy's high latitude. Also, corns with high anthocyanins in the leaves tend to grow poorly.
Either of these traits, or both combined, could explain why people aren't growing it.
As I understand it, Nero Spinoso is very close to the dark yellow Floriani famous for its flavor when used for polenta - but with additional genes for dark red pigmented kernels.