No, the straw colored things are the seeds. The dark spiky stuff is what holds the seeds on the head. The link below has a close up shot of the seeds.
Remy

Here is a link that might be useful: Echinacea Seeds

Yes, I think the seeds look like little space shuttles. Be careful not to stick yourself on the spiny parts. Can give you a little skin irritation...

Glad I looked at this post, I realize now that I probably saved very little seed... I kept the black spiky parts, and threw away the true seed! ugh... Ah well, live and learn :) I will try again this season :)

I'm finding I have to pop them loose from the seed head with my thumbnail and they are rather a pain to get. Anyone else have this issue with purple coneflower. I have about 6 or so seed heads to deseed and I don't know if I want to go gather more if they are going to be this difficult.

Try cutting the seedheads in half with pruning shears or hold it in place with pliers while you use either an ice pick or awl to poke the seeds free. I use whatever tools help me avoid the pain & struggle.

Thanks for the tip!!

I cut the seed pod (center of the flower) off once petals are gone & lay out on cookie sheet to dry. Then I use small pliers and just pull the seeds off and let dry again on cookie sheet. I store the seeds in qt jar with a little DE powder. Hint: The drier the seeds, the easier they come off!! I do the same with Blackeyed susans, hollyhock, etc. Talk about wonderful gifts and it is amazing how many seeds you can actually harvest!!