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Indian Corn Zea Mays. 



BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF INDIAN CORN (ZEA MAYS, L,.) In the center above is 

 single stalk, reduced to l-10th its natural size, showing the terminal male (the "tassel"), 

 and in the axil of the third leaf from the base is the female inflorescence enveloped in 

 broad, leafy bracts. At the base of the figure on the right side this female inflorescence 

 is shown more clearly; the hair-like tuft is formed b3' the projecting slender styles (the 

 "silk.") To the left' at the base of the figure is shown an "ear" of corn, the kernels 

 being the matured ovaries from which the styles have disappeared. In the upper left- 

 hand corner of the figure are two spikelets. The flowers of Indian corn are unisexual, 

 the one male or staminate, the other female or pistillate; both are born upon the same 

 plant, but each is in a separate inflorescence. 



