Pollination. Female maize (Zea mays) flower covered in pollen (red). Pollen grains are the male sexual spores of a plant. The female flower has several long fibrous stigmas, which increase the chances of pollen landing on the flower. Maize pollen is produced in vast quantities by male flowers, and is distributed by the wind. Maize (or corn) is a crop grown throughout the world in warm regions. It yields oil and fibres as well as its cobs, which are known as sweetcorn. This is lily pollen, used here to provide a contrast with the flower.