Ear (botany) Ear (botany) An ear is the grain-bearing tip part of the stem of a cereal plant, such as wheat or maize. It can also refer to "a prominent lobe in some leaves". The ear is a spike, consisting of a central stem on which tightly packed rows of flowers grow. These develop into fruits containing the edible seeds. In corn, it is protected by leaves called husks. In some species (including wheat), unripe ears contribute significantly to photosynthesis, in addition to the leaves lower down the plant. A parasite known as "Anguina tritici" (Ear Cockle) specifically affects the ears on
A Specimen of the Botany of New Holland began as a collaboration between Smith and George Shaw. Together they produced a two-part work entitled "Zoology and Botany of New Holland", with each part containing two zoology plates and two botany plates, along with accompanying text. These appeared in 1793, although the publications themselves indicate 1794. The collaboration then ended, and Shaw went on to independently produce his "Zoology of New Holland". Smith's contributions to "Zoology and Botany of New Holland" became the first two parts of "A Specimen of the Botany of New Holland", a further two parts of which were issued in 1795. The book contained details