Biology of Corn

Corn is an interesting plant.  There are both male and female parts in each corn plant. Corn is a flowering plant The males are the top of the plant called the tassels and each plant contains many of them(Hobbyfarms.com). These male flowers release pollen grains that contain male sex cells. The female portion is called the ear.  The long silky strands that poke out of the top of the corn catch pollen and bring them down to the female ovaries or kernels.  Also, each kernel contains both a germ and endosperm. Corn needs to be clumped together when it is planted in order to grow, because it is a self-pollinator. Wind will carry pollen from one corn plant to several in its area to other silk strands and each silk strand that is fertilized develops a kernel that carries traits from both of its parents. (Urbanext.illinois.edu)

 

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