Geum triflorum

Geum triflorum, the plant with many names (long-plumed purple avens, lion's beard, old man's whiskers, etc.). But "prairie smoke" is rather apt because it's native to North American prairies and gives the look of smoke rising from the ground with it's unique flowering process. It's a diminutive perennial, yet enchantingly Suessian enough to warrant a gander on hands and knees.

Prairie smoke does best in well-drained soils with tempered moisture, especially in winter.