Lilac Cosmos

Cosmos is a genus of about 20-26 species of annual and perennial plants in the family Asteraceae, native to scrub and meadow areas in Mexico, the southern United States (Arizona, Florida), Central America and northern South America south to Paraguay.

They are herbaceous perennial plants growing 0.3-2 m tall. The leaves are simple, pinnate, or bipinnate, and arranged in opposite pairs. The flowers are produced in a capitulum with a ring of broad ray florets and a center of disc florets; flower color is very variable between the different species. The genus includes several ornamental plants popular in gardens.

from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmos_(plant)

 

Photographic data
Canon Digital Rebel XT with Sigma EX DG 50 mm macro lens at f/5.6.  iso 400