Zinnia and Celosias

This is the remains of last weekend's bouquet. The two velvety maroon flowers in the back have many names: Celosias, cock's comb, wool flower, and brain celosias. (They really do look like the convoluted folds of the brain.) I call it Marie's flower because  Marie, my best friend's mother,  grew them in her garden. Their color matched the velvety rocker in the living room.

According to this source, in the language of flowers, celosias symbolizes humor, warth, and silliness -- all of which, are aspects of Marie's personality. I was so lucky to be able to stay at her home some afternoons when my mom was working. To this day, Marie laughs easily and uses humor to cope with life's trials. She has a lot to teach us all!

The two-tone flower is a Gaillardia, a member of the sunflower family.