Corn Husk

Husk

In botany, a husk is the outer shell or coating of a seed. In the United States, the term husk often refers to the leafy outer covering of an ear of maize (corn) as it grows on the plant. Literally, a husk or hull includes the protective outer covering of a seed, fruit, or vegetable.

Maize

Maize, also known as corn, is a tall stout grass that produces cereal grain. The leafy stalk of the plant gives rise to male inflorescences or tassels which produce pollen, and female inflorescences called ears. The ears yield grain, known as kernels or seeds. In modern commercial varieties, these are usually yellow or white; other varieties can be of many colors. Maize was domesticated by indigenous peoples in southern Mexico about 9,000 years ago from wild teosinte. Native Americans planted it alongside beans and squashes in the Three Sisters polyculture.

Maize (color)

The shade maize or corn refers to a specific tone of yellow; it is named for the cereal of the same name—maize. In public usage, maize can be applied to a variety of shades, ranging from light yellow to a dark shade that borders on orange, since the color of maize may vary.

corn

Noun

1. Any cereal plant (or its grain) that is the main crop or staple of a country or region.
2. Maize, a grain crop of the species Zea mays.

Verb

1. To granulate; to form (a substance) into grains.
2. To preserve using coarse salt, e.g. corned beef.

husk

Noun

1. The dry, leafy or stringy exterior of certain vegetables or fruits, which must be removed before eating the meat inside.
2. Any form of useless, dried up, and subsequently worthless exterior of something.

Verb

1. To remove husks from.