Strange flower. Can you identify?

[Count-A-Strong]

Bought my dear mama ( the duchess) a bunch of flowers for Mothers day and it contains a very strange single object in it.
It's about 3 inches long 1 inch diameter at base but tapers inwards. Has artichoke like overlapping 'leaves' at the bottom and ends in a densly packed bunch of what look like pussy willow buds. Can anyone name it and find a pic on t'internet for me and the duchess?

[boxtops]

where did you buy it, is it a shop with mail order so we could look at the bouquet? Can it be protea http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protea (it's in some exotic bunches these days)

[Count-A-Strong]

Hi boxtops and thanks for the quick reply. Unfortunately it looks nowt like that. It's a bit like a pine cone with browny green leaves and grey catkins sticking out of the top. I'll try to post a picture bit not sure I can remember my account details.

[Graham-W]

Could it be a cardoon, a member of the thistle family?
http://www.crocus.co....dy/itemno.PL00002021/

[Count-A-Strong]

Could be Graham, when it opens out. Thanks.

[rowanwitch]

protea.....lots of different ones used by florists these days south african flower
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protea