A corn cob is the densely packed, elongated cylindrical inflorescence of the corn plant. It consists of a central spindle (cob axis) on which numerous yellow to golden, sometimes also reddish or purple grains (caryopses) sit in even rows. Each grain is smooth, shiny, hard and surrounded by a thin sheath. The cob is surrounded by several layers of green, firm leaf bracts (bracts or spathe), from the tips of which fine, silky, thread-like stigma threads ("corn threads") protrude. Its surface has a geometric, almost mosaic-like appearance.
A corn cob is the densely packed, elongated cylindrical inflorescence of the corn plant. It consists of a central spindle (cob axis) on which numerous yellow to golden, sometimes also reddish or purple grains (caryopses) sit in even rows. Each grain is smooth, shiny, hard and surrounded by a thin sheath. The cob is surrounded by several layers of green, firm leaf bracts (bracts or spathe), from the tips of which fine, silky, thread-like stigma threads ("corn threads") protrude. Its surface has a geometric, almost mosaic-like appearance.