I have hermaphroditic corn this year. The male tassels are apparently so full of female hormones that they’re popping out kernels themselves. I thought that ear had gotten peeled by a squirrel or something – but the tassel is just emerging, those kernels are actually on the base of the tassel.
Normally, the tassel (male, pollen producing) emerges first at the top of the stalk, then below it the ear buds put out silks (female, pollen receiving), and then the tassels die off.
