My first thought upon seeing this flower… pink feather boa! But actually it has a better name: Apache Plume. This plant is native to the American southwest. Photo taken in San Bernardino National Forest.
The flower of the shrub is roselike when new, with rounded white petals and a center filled with many thready stamens and pistils. The ovary of the flower remains after the white petals fall away, leaving many plumelike lavender styles, each 3 to 5 centimeters long. The plant may be covered with these dark pinkish clusters of curling, feathery styles after flowering. ~ Wikipedia
From a really great website: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service
MK pix 
Reminds me of Dr. Suess’ Thing 1 and Thing 2! 🙂 Nice close-up – a lovely seed head.
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I haven’t read Dr Seuss (embarrassed to admit) so I had to look those things up!
Yes this is really delicate and almost whimsical. The flowers & their white petals are not so interesting.
Spotted it several days ago and I had to return today to be sure I caught it.
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I expect the seeds will blow away on the wind someday. Maybe you’ll get to catch that.
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Utterly lovely. I’ve never seen this. It looks like the territory didn’t reach up into Northern Utah where we lived for years. It certainly doesn’t appear to like the coast.
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As you know, I grew up in Arizona and have lived in Southern California since the mid-60s. I’ve never seen it anywhere but just this one spot.
It’s just so fine & delicate.
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ps… the map shows its presence in Los Angeles county, but zooming in reveals that’s its really only present in the far eastern edge of L.A. county – away from the coast, as you point out.
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That’s beautiful, and so delicate.
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We’re so fortunate to have this rare gem in our “backyard”
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Interesting looking flower. You did a great job of capturing the individual filaments and the hairs one them. It’s also cool that it appears you’ve captured about every stage of flowering in this one photo.
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Thanks David. I did want to capture “those other white flowers” just for contrast, and it was only after researching the identity did I realize that those are the other stages of the blossom. I’m pleased that the most mature stage is also the most beautiful.
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“I’m pleased that the most mature stage is also the most beautiful.” – kind of like us. 🙂
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Exactly like us!!!
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Stunning detail in your photography.
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Thanks Pamela. The delicate feathers show off the pink, like a frame.
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It’s so delicate. I’ve never seen it before. Just wonderful.
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Delicate and wonderful for sure, Gigi. Also, about as large as a child’s hand, or an adult’s palm. Very striking when you see a shrub full of them.
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It begs to be touched. Nice shot!
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I didn’t try to touch it — it’s so delicate that I think I’d crush it. When I return I may give it just a tiny caress.
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Yes. Just a light touch.
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