As the flowering spike matures it begins to wither and becomes brown throughout the summer and often persisting through the winter, by which time it has become shriveled and black. There is no noticeable floral scent.
As the flowering spike ripens, it starts to wilt and turns brown throughout summer and sometimes persists into winter. By that time, it has shriveled and darkened to a black color. There is no noticeable floral fragrance.