What is this Weird, Fuzzy, Flower?

[aege8th]

My cousin bought these from a local grower, who grew them herself. My cuz doesn't know the name of them. They are the oddest flowers I've ever seen! The texture is a little like Celosia (cocks comb) but they are the wrong shape. They're also rather like sumac flowers, however the leaves are totally wrong for sumac (and the shape isn't quite right either.)

FYI, we are NY state (zone 4-5). I don't even know if they are annuals or perennials since she just bought them this summer. (I suppose we'll know by next year!)

Does anyone know what these are?? I would LOVE to have them for my garden! Ya gotta admit...they certainly are a conversation starter!!!!

[img]https://www.bubbygram.com/andes/ourhouse/penisflowers2.jpg[/img] (alt+p)[/img]

[Jess]

Hi Aege8th

Amaranthus gangeticus
otherwise known as 'Elephant Head'.

https://www.seedsandmore-store.com/catalog.php/seedsandmore/dt386/pd645

[aege8th]

Wow! Thanks for your quick reply! I have been looking on the internet for DAYS trying to find out what this is by description only. And frankly, I would not have used "elephant head" to describe this plant. Maybe elephant-something-else, if you catch my drift...

I'm buying seeds today!!!

-a