Zea mays; corn, maize [Poaceae]  Tall, robust, annual grass with very broad leaf blades with overlapping sheaths.  Staminate spikelets occur in long, spike-like branches, which are aggregated into large spreading terminal panicles (tassels).  Pistillate spikelets are arranged in rows on a thickened axis (cob), which occurs in a leaf axil, and is enclosed by several bracts.  The long thin styles (silk) protrude from the top.  Cultivated extensively throughout the world for food and forage.  [046]

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