Directional Flower

Silphium laciniatum - the Compass plant - is a member of the aster family and a perennial native.

click on image to enlarge

It's the tallest of plants found in the North American prairie and also happen to have the longest of tap roots - essentially making it impossible to transplant.

The  name of this flowering plant derives from the leaves which - upon close examination - line-up north south in order to maximize exposure to available sunlight.

Just like sunflowers birds are attracted to the seeds produced by the flower heads.