Morphology and Development of the Tassel and Ear

Abstract

As a monoecious plant, maize develops unisexual male and female flowers in physically separated parts of the plant. The tassel (staminate or male inflorescence) arises from the shoot apical meristem, while the ears (pistillate or female inflorescences) originate from the axillary bud apices. Initially, both inflorescences contain bisexual flowers. During the course of development, however, they become unisexual through abortion of gynoecia in the tassel flowers and stamens in the ear flowers. As a result, the tassels develop male flowers and the ears develop female flowers. (See descriptions of Weatherwax 1916; Bonnett 1948, 1953, 1966; Kiesselbach 1949; Cheng et al. 1983; Stevens et al. 1986; Hanway and Ritchie 1987.)