How do the female flowers of a corn plant develop into ears of corn?

The female flowers of a corn plant develop into ears through a process of wind-assisted pollination.1

The corn plant is monoecious, meaning it bears both male and female flowers on the same individual. The male flowers are located in the tassel at the top of the stem, while the female flowers, or pistillate inflorescences, are found on the ears.23

These female flowers consist of a thickened axis bearing rows of spikelets. Each spikelet produces long styles, commonly known as silks, which protrude from the top of the ear. When wind blows pollen from the male tassels onto these silks, fertilization occurs. Following successful pollination, the fertilized ovules mature into kernels, and the female inflorescence develops into the edible ear of corn, which is protected by modified leaves called husks.312