穂

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 穂, read ほ, is a noun for the grain-bearing ear of rice, wheat, or a similar crop.
• Basic usage: 稲の穂が揺れる describes rice ears swaying; 麦の穂を手に取る refers to an ear of wheat examined by hand.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Crop names specifying 穂
  • 稲の and 麦の identify the crop. The noun refers to the grain-bearing head, not merely one seed or the whole stalk.