What Am I?

I have no idea at all what this is. I spotted it out walking, as I tend to do. The flower 'balls' are about the size of a pound coin, or a quarter. Some hard green ones (just in evidence on the bottom of the photo) and others in full 'bloom'. A bush, with reasonably big leaves. Any ideas?

[Joy Maguire]

looks like a pin cushion, ha ha. Great focus and details

[bkb in the city]

great find

[Vee]

Very cool looking thing whatever it is!

[Sue Hecker]

If you search for buttonbush images, they look just like this. Wonderful find!

[Brianna]

Wow, never seen anything like it! Spectacular shot!

[Kathy]

Like Sue, I think it looks like this Common Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentals). Very unusual and a good shot.

[Lyn Berriman]

Whatever I am, I am stunning!!! Wonderful!

[Kim]

Great patterns and textures and a cool shot! This reminds me of bristles on a hairbrush.

[Tom]

Great find and capture, very effective use of the lighting and pov

[Cathie]

Great capture, Issi. I'll look forward to hearing what it is. Nice.

[Issi Bannerman]

@featherstone You are a star! That's exactly what it is. Thank you so much!

[Issi Bannerman]

@almondjoy1 @bkbinthecity @vskolnik @lilminimonka @lynnilou @lynnilou @genealogygenie @tosee @cathieg Thanks folks, and especially to Sue @featherstone and Kathy @randystreat for knowing what it is!!! Buttonbush it is. :-)

[Julie Duncan]

Oh, I love this!!!

[tony gig]

Its a Buttonbush, Beautiful capture and flower...Fav

[~*~ Jo ~*~]

Lovely

[Denise fuller]

No idea what it is but great capture

[Sarah Munnings]

isn't it fascinating......not a UK plant

[Judith Johnson]

No idea but it's quite spectacular.

[Paula W]

I had no idea what it was but it's really quite amazing. Definitely looks like a pin cushion.

[Clare]

This is so cool! I've never seen anything like it!

[Carolyn]

It is amazing looking. Looks like a space alien to me! You know, the 'pods' that eventually take over the earth.

[Stephanie Swift]

It's very lovely whatever it is.

[Louise & Ken]

I've never even heard of a Button Bush, so what a delight to encounter something new! I'd love to have these in a garden...they're just fun to look at and such spherical perfection!

[KWind]

Very cool! Great texture!

[Issi Bannerman]

@juliedduncan @ziggy77 @denisefuller @busylady @paulaw @cailts @carolyns @tristansmum @Weezilou @kwind Thanks folks. Love finding new plants to recognise and thanks to all who knew and told me about my buttonbush! :-) @tonygig

[Julie Duncan]

Can't stop looking at this! Ha ha ha! :)

[Debbie Christoff]

Very cool.....looks like a pin cushin.

[trishaclancy]

What an interesting plant/flower/thingy. Really love your composition. Fav