[Rumlow took the flower and examined it for damage, but aside from perhaps being a little windswept, it was in good condition. He gently plucked at the petals to arrange them perfectly before he pulled his knife and cut the stem off to four inches, tossing the rest away.]

If it was pointless, you wouldn't have carried it around. The Fist of HYDRA doesn't perform pointless action. Do you?

[He slipped the stem of the carnation behind his right ear, letting it settle there and its petals tickle his temple.]