Fic. 2. Zea mays Linn. ght CORN.—a«, A pistillate spikelet; b, a | asiad 
of pauitaate spikelets; ¢, the compound pistillate spike or ‘“‘e d, pistil 
2, ZBA, Linn. Sp, Pl. 971. 1753. Spikelets unisexual, m us; 
pide the stami- 
nate 2-flowered in pairs, one sessile the other pedic ellate, aia ng the nume rous 
branches of a terminal panicle; | the Distillate 1-flowered, sessile, crowded in 
, Several rows, along a from the lower 
leaf-axils and ssapy! enveloped by numerous large Stlapeen bracts lum: 
4, awnless; those of the staminate spikelet acute: those of the S cities very 
broad an inate. Grain hard partially inclosed by the 
fruiting glumes. A well-known tall and striking an erect 
stems es. The te e infil orms t 
nd lea t nee fi 
“spindle,” and the long projecting styles of the pistillate flowers constitute 
the “silk.” The cob is formed by the union of the axes of several female 
ened 
a bs — of rg » origin, jms many varieties in cultivation 
