The smooth coneflower is one sorry looking flower. Its long, forlorn petals look like they just got doused with a big bucket of water.

Thing is, the coneflower has long had a significant presence here in Durham, at least up until several years ago when it started disappearing in the face of development.

Two years back, I wrote about one man's quest to save this strange-looking flower.

In today's issue of The News & Observer, you'll find the results of his efforts.