In Arabidopsis, several hundreds of single elongated "papilla cells" form the stigma of a flower, which acts as the receptive interface for pollen. After pollen has hydrated and germinated on the stigma, pollen tubes grow down through the style into the ovary, to reach about 50 individual ovules, which will develop into seeds after successful fertilization. 

In maize, hundreds of flowers are contained in an inflorescence ("ear") that is closely sheathed by several husk leaves. Every flower develops a long style ("silk strand") that elongates and finally protrudes from the husk leaves to intercept airborne pollen. After rehydration and germination on receptive trichomes, the pollen tubes grow through the silk strands to reach the ovaries, which upon fertilization develop into individual fruits ("kernels"). Hundreds of kernels form the maize cob.