About Enneapogon nigricans (R.Br.) P.Beauv.
Enneapogon nigricans, commonly called blackheads, bottle washers, pappus grass, purpletop grass, and niggerheads, is a perennial grass species native to Australia. This species forms tall dense tussocks that reach a maximum of only 20 centimeters across. Its leaves are smooth and bright light green. Plants of this species prefer sunny locations, and generally grow in sunny open mallee forests. In late spring and summer, it produces distinctive lance-shaped seedheads at the top of wiry stalks that are over 30 cm long. The seedheads start out olive green, then dry to a light brown. Individual seeds are about 5 mm across, and look similar to a parasol in shape. Germination of this grass is slow and unreliable, and requires warm temperatures. The plants die back in late summer, then resprout when rains return.
