I think sunflowers are considered “compound” flowers?where the real flowers are in the center and the colorful petals (or are they bracts?) around the perimeter attract pollinators

Corn is monoecious. It has both male flowers (the iconic tassel on top) and female flowers (technically the ears I think?) and each thread of the “silk” corresponds to an individual kernel and has to be pollenated for its kernel to develop.