Turning Gray

Seems I'm getting grayer by the year.  In the beard.  Not in my head of youthful hair.  Which leads me to the Gray-headed Coneflower - Ratibida pinnata.

click on the flower to enlarge

Another tall plant of the North American prairie it is doing particularly well during the recent stretch of dry and hot weather.  Like it's neighbor the Compass plant these beautiful prairie perennials thrive in hot and dry conditions because their root systems are established deed in the earth.  

After this showy flower drops its petals and dries the cone that is left at the end of the stalk smells of spices when you crumble it between your fingers.