I learnt this today observing my sunflower

  • PlantJam@lemmy.world
    45·
    3 days ago

    These are called disc flowers, and the outside “petals” are ray flowers. Some species have only ray flowers, like dandelions, and some have only disc flowers like some thistles. The botanical term for the whole “flower” (or any group of flowers) is an inflorescence.

    • BeatTakeshi@lemmy.worldOP
      1·
      3 days ago

      Not sure? Given kernels are wrapped till ripe. Or you mean the hair coming out of the tip is the flower pistil for each kernel?

      • JohnnyEnzyme@piefed.socialEnglish
        2·
        3 days ago

        I think so.

        Maize is monoecious, with separate male and female flowers on the same plant.[3] At the top of the stem is the tassel, an inflorescence of male flowers; their anthers release pollen, which is dispersed by wind.[3] The female inflorescence, some way down the stem from the tassel, is first seen as a silk, a bundle of soft tubular hairs, one for the carpel in each female flower, which develops into a kernel (often called a seed. Botanically, as in all grasses, it is a fruit, fused with the seed coat to form a caryopsis)[4] when it is pollinated.[3] A whole female inflorescence develops into an ear or corncob, enveloped by multiple leafy layers or husks.

        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maize#Description