Blowing in the Wind

Not much of a picture but these plants have always seemed pretty to me. Growing up in southern California I remember finding one of these type of plants and cutting a few of those fluffy flowers down and bringing them home to my loving mother who promptly placed them in a vase to share with all who entered our house. I don’t know to this day if my mom liked them or was just being sweet to her favorite son. So what was it mom?