Anyone know what this is?

[HeyWayne]

Spotted whilst strolling around Colle Val D'Elsa and thought it looked rather splendid.

[lainey lou]

It does look rather splendid, no idea what it is though!
Does it smell nice?

[lynda66]

oooooooooo i can help with that, i actually have some seeds which i didn't get round to planting this year

let me know if you want a few

it's celosia cristata

celosia cristata - Google Image Search

Description:
Celosia is an annual plant belonging to the Celosia genus of the Amaranthaceae family. Native to tropical Africa and Latin America, it can grow to a height of up to 1 meter and is noted for its very bright colors. Crested cockscomb is given its name due to the unique and exotic shape of its flowers, whose tightly clustered blooms are said to resemble a rooster's comb.
Traditions:
In the Middle Ages, Celosia was considered a symbol of immortality. It was worn as a sign of mourning at funerals. In the past, it was used to treat shortsightedness and prevent liver disease.

[HeyWayne]

oooooooooo i can help with that, i actually have some seeds which i didn't get round to planting this year

let me know if you want a few

it's celosia cristata

celosia cristata - Google Image Search

Description:
Celosia is an annual plant belonging to the Celosia genus of the Amaranthaceae family. Native to tropical Africa and Latin America, it can grow to a height of up to 1 meter and is noted for its very bright colors. Crested cockscomb is given its name due to the unique and exotic shape of its flowers, whose tightly clustered blooms are said to resemble a rooster's comb.
Traditions:
In the Middle Ages, Celosia was considered a symbol of immortality. It was worn as a sign of mourning at funerals. In the past, it was used to treat shortsightedness and prevent liver disease.

Not sure if it smells nice or not - there were loads of flowers around it and I couldn't get close enough to get me schnoz close enough. If you could spare a couple of seeds lynda that'd be great - be a nice surprise for LW if I grew some for her (she spotted them).

[Polly Fouracre]

It's a Foreign Flower Rubrus Officianalis. Now stop showing off and tell us if you had a good time.(and did you bring some seeds home?!)

[HeyWayne]

It's a Foreign Flower Rubrus Officianalis. Now stop showing off and tell us if you had a good time.(and did you bring some seeds home?!)

Ok, I'll update my blog this evening (I'm home alone tonight) and include some piccies.

[Nicos]

(I'm home alone tonight)

Don't be tempted to finish off the ironing then!

[HeyWayne]

Don't be tempted to finish off the ironing then!

No such thing as "the" ironing in our house, I iron to order as and when things are worn - apart from a Sunday night when I iron the shirts/tops for work.

It's just me, a vindaloo, glass of ale and GW tonight.

[Flummery]

Looks a bit septic though dunnit?

[MaureenHall]

I'm glad that's been identified I had 1 in a flower arrangement prezzy from daughter and I left it in the vase that long that it started to go to seed!! I'm going to have a go at growing some, though not too hopeful.