Corn silk

The silk lengthens from the basal ovules during the 10 to 14 days previous to growth stage R1; this is due to a change of shape of existing cells rather than their replication.

[5] Kernel formation in the cob requires pollination of the external corn silk by wind or insects.

Usually several grains of pollen adhere, but only one will successfully participate in fertilization of the ovule to form a corn kernel.

[2] The pollen tube extends at a rate of over 1 centimeter per hour, requiring only 24 hours to create a foot-long pathway within the intercellular space of the corn silk through which the sperm cells (the gametes) pass to join the female gametophyte within the ovule.

[9] Corn silk contains a variety of pharmacologically-active compounds and as such is used in many types of folk medicine, including as a diuretic[10] and as an inhibitor of melanin production.

[12] The antioxidant and hematoprotective effect of corn silk protein hydrolysate have been experimentally demonstrated.