The ball-flower (also written ballflower) is an architectural ornament in the form of a ball inserted in the cup of a flower. It came into use in the latter part of the 13thcentury in England and became one of the chief ornaments of the 14thcentury, in the period known as Decorated Gothic.

Ball-flowers were generally placed in rows at equal distances in the hollow of a moulding, frequently by the sides of mullions. Examples are found in many churches of the period including Gloucester Cathedral; St Mary's Church, Bloxham; St. Michael's Church, Swaton ( 1300); and Tewkesbury Abbey ( 1330). The presence of ball-flowers on the west part of Salisbury Cathedral has helped date this facade to the 14th century.

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• Picture of ball-flowers outlining a window of Gloucester Cathedral