Anatomy of a maize plant, its reproductive structures, and the kernel. Maize structures include (a) tassel, (b) uppermost leaf, (c) stalk or stem, (d) leaf blade, (e) midrib, (f) leaf sheath, (g) silks, (h) primary or top ear, (i) secondary ear, (j) node, (k) tiller, (l) brace roots, (m) root system, (n) main spike, (o) spikelet pair, (p) tassel branch, (q) cob, (r) kernel, (s) husk leaf, (t) shank or lateral branch, (u) open pedicellate spikelet, (v) open upper floret, (w) closed lower floret, (x) glume, (y) closed sessile spikelet, (z) anther, (aa) endosperm, (ab) scutellum, (ac) plumule or embryo, and (ad) pedicel.