Ear (botany)

An ear is the grain-bearing tip part of the stem of a cereal plant, such as wheat or maize (corn).

"[2] The ear is a spike, consisting of a central stem on which tightly packed rows of flowers grow.

In corn (maize), an ear is protected by leaves called husks.

In some species (including wheat), unripe ears contribute significantly to photosynthesis, in addition to the leaves lower down the plant.

The parasite has been eradicated in most countries (with the exception of North Africa and West Asia) by using the crop rotation system.