I wonder if those kernels of tassel corn would be able to propagate by themselves? In Michael Pollins book "The Omnivores Dilemma," he writes that corn needed humans to disseminate the kernels, because all the seeds are so close together that they would not grow otherwise. Just a thought.
That's a good question, K. I have no idea, as I lop those things off when I notice them. I am not familiar with that book nor the author that you mentioned. The one quote is a curious standpoint to take.
I did some other research on this. Yes, corn needs humans to plant it, does not seed on its own, in the husk and cob.
