I'm afraid you're out of luck for flowers, I believe that's Deer Tongue Grass, Dichanthelium clandestinum (used to be Panicum clandestinum.) I think those are seeds, but they might actually be the flowers. On the bright side, looks like it is a native; and as you say, the leaves are rather attractive. It grows here in the east, too. I'd link to some pictures but frankly yours are better than any of the ones I see on the web with a quick search.

WW

Weedwoman, you are gooOOOooOOod. And no wonder I couldn't find it in any wildflower guide....it's a grass!!!! I never would have guessed that. Ever. Thanks so much for the ID because I have waited an entire year for that plant to bloom so I would have a better chance of identifying what the heck it is. Thank you so much!

I know the feeling. Glad to help. I'm not good with grasses generally but this one is so distinctive I learned it.

WW

All the Panicum grasses are pretty, and some are used as ornamentals. Those little knots are likely seeds, and they break off as a clump at the last leaf, and go tumbling along like a miniature tumbleweed. A professor of mine called it "tickle a** grass", as it can easily get caught in your pant leg, and work its way up to your... um, butt, tickling you until you find a little privacy and remove it.

The little flower heads, called panicles, break off very easily, and carry the seed far and wide. The seeds of Panicum are edible, as it is closely related to Millet, which is also a Panicum. Mostly, though, they make wonderful feed for Quail, and farmers or land owners trying to promote Bobwhite on their land, whether for sport or watching, would do well to plant it; many of our native Panicum are perennials, making it unnecessary to replant as is the case with Millet.

Weedwoman, I can now identify one grass too. One. :-)

Danetherton-Thank you so much for the information on this particular grass. I purchased 20 acres of land in eastern Kansas and am trying to identify what I can and then maintain what is native to the area. The more I learn, the more I find out that just about everything out there is not native.....acres of honeysuckle in the woods....autumn olive everywhere.... This plant has been intriguing to me because nothing seems to chew on the leaves and all those beautiful leaves seemed that one day they'd produce some sort of interesting flower. Well, makes me laugh that it's a grass, but at least it's a native and it's growing in an area that it obviously loves. I don't think I'll ever have quail visiting (too many dogs running around) but those deer tongue will be there if they ever do visit. Appreciate the "tickle a**" story too. Hahahaha.