The original form of waxy maize had erect leaves
growing from the upper nodes, while the lower
leaves were spread and drooping (C o l l i n s , 1909).
Moreover, the leaves up to the 4th-5th leaf from the bottom
grew on the same side of the plant. The above-
-mentioned author stressed high drought resistance of
maize, in particular at the flowering stage, and waxy
maize was positively distinguished from other Z. mays
subspecies by this trait.