Corncob

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Please help improve this article or section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (January 2007)

This article does not cite any references or sources. (December 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. WikiProject Agropedia or the Agropedia Portal may be able to help recruit one. If a more appropriate WikiProject or portal exists, please adjust this template accordingly.

A corncob is the central core of a maize (Zea mays ssp. mays L.) ear. Young ears, also called baby corn, can be consumed raw. But as the plant matures the cob becomes tougher until only the kernels are edible. When harvesting corn the corncob is collected as part of the ear, leaving the corn stover in the field. The corn plant's ear is also considered a "cob" but it is not fully a "cob" until the ear is shucked, or removed from the plant material around the ear. Also see corn and sweet corn

[edit] Uses

Corncobs are an important source of the furfural, an aromatic aldehyde used in a wide variety of industrial processes. Although with little nutritious value, corncobs can be used as fiber in ruminant fodder. Corncobs can be used to make smoking pipes. Also, in the days of outhouses, the corn cob was commonly used, especially in rural communities, in place of today's toilet paper.

[edit] See also

• Maize
• Corn stover