(c) : In maize the male inflorescence occupies the terminal position on the main axis, whereas the female inflorescence (ear or cob) is borne on modified lateral branches in the axils of leaves. The ear producing branch has short intenodes and bears a female spike at its apex. Each spikelet has a pair of small membranous glumes and two florets. The feathery styles of the female florets are long and emerge out of the cobs to expose stigma for wind pollination.