Long filamentous threads protruding at the end of a young cob of maize are

Explanation

(c): In maize the male inflorescence occupies the terminal position on the main axis, whereas the female inflorescence (ear or cob) is borne on modified lateral branches in the axils of leaves. The ea r producing branch has short internodes and bears a female spike at its apex. Each spikelet has a pair of small membranous glumes and two florets. The feathery styles of the female florets are long and emerge out of the cobs to expose the stigma for wind pollination.