The Flower Stem gag is more of a clown bit. It’s something you’d do as part of a skit, not by itself. It goes like this:
Clown 1 (typically a male clown) goes to an “attractive” female clown. He offers her a flower. She smiles, and thankfully takes his gift. However, the clown is a gimmicked prop – he leaves the stem in her hand, and walks away with the top of the flower.
Of course, there’s lots of room for comedy. How does the female clown respond? Does she chase him angrily? Does she sit down and start weeping? Does another clown come to comfort her? Does it turn into a clown ministry skit, where a pastor/clown talks to the audience about how the world promises, but doesn’t deliver, and contrasts that with God’s love?
Take it and run with it. Enjoy, and bump a nose!
[Editor’s note: the photo is taken from the TV special, Salute to Stan Laurel]