Crimson Mossflower

This modest-sized flower grows up to 1.6 feet (48 cm) tall. Its yellow-green stem is thin and straight, and the small, moss green leaves are light silver on the underside and are long, tapering with smooth edges. The leaves alternate on the stem from about halfway up, up to the flower head.

Each stem splits 4 to 7 times; a single small flower grows at the end of each split. The flowers are 35 cm (13.8 inches) wide, with petals that are crimson at the sides and olive at the center. The flower head is made up of dozens of petals in raised layers. They are sturdy.

It has a fairly strong scent that smells like a newborn baby, and it has a fair amount of pollen; it does not cause many allergic reactions. It is pollinated by insects and is particularly attractive to butterflies.