Native to Australia…

“Pink mulla mulla” or “Lamb’s tail” (Amaranthaceae Ptilotus exaltatus); see http://anpsa.org.au/p-exa.html

A similar image from a few days ago of the same plant is the only image of this species at PhytoImages at the moment: http://phytoimages.siu.edu/imgs/paraman1/r/Amaranthaceae_Ptilotus_exaltatus_69996.html

Photo taken outside SIUC Plant Biology Greenhouse, http://www.plantbiology.siu.edu/facilities/plant-biology-facilities/greenhouse/index.php

Species page at PhytoImages, http://phytoimages.siu.edu/cgi-bin/dol/dol_terminal.pl?taxon_name=Ptilotus_exaltatus&rank=binomial

One year ago (“Great Spangled Fritillary”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-06-14
Two years ago (“‘Rose bokeh’?”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-06-14

[Sheralee S]

It's very pretty Thom! It must not grow around my area as I don't know it.

[Thom Mitchell]

@bella_ss Check the range here http://anpsa.org.au/p-exa.html?

[Lydia]

Looks like something from an alien planet explored by the crew of the Enterprise.....

[Thom Mitchell]

@gizathecat I will watch it from afar and see if it spews spores on unsuspecting mathematicians or logicians... ;)

[Rick Schies]

Now that is very detailed, and lovely

[Michelle]

I don't think I have seen one of those before. Looks gorgeous.