Citation: P. Beauv., Agrost. 82, 162 (1812).

Synonymy: -Pappophorum nigricans R. Br., Prod. Fl. Nov. Holl. 185 (1810).

Common name: Black-heads, nigger-heads.

Description:
Perennial 30-40 (rarely 5-55) cm, densely glandular-pubescent on the culms and leaves; culms simple; blades also pilose with eglandular hairs, scabrous, flat or soon tightly involute, acute.

Panicle 3-7 x 1-1.5 (rarely 1.4-9 x c. 2.8) cm, spike-like, rarely interrupted, densely glandular-pubescent on the axis and divisions, elliptic or oblong to linear or lanceolate; axillary inflorescences or spikelets absent; spikelet 3- or 4-rarely 5-flowered, with 1 floret fertile; glumes membranous, with broad thinner nerveless margins, elliptic or lanceolate to ovate, acute to acuminate or sometimes obtuse, entire or erose, sparsely glandular-pubescent, densely scaberulous; lower 4-5.6 (rarely 2.8-6.7) mm long, 5-7- rarely to 10-) nerved; upper 3-7 (rarely to 8)mm long, 4-9-nerved; lowest lemma: body c. 2 (rarely 1.8-3.4) mm long, membranous, with lightly fibbed nerves which flatten downwards, bearded with hairs slightly shorter than the body itself, ciliate on the margins; awns 5-6.3 (rarely 3-7.8) mm long; palea of the lowest floret slightly longer than its lemma (body), hairy on the body, hirsute on the flaps; keels ciliate in the upper half to two-thirds; grain 1.3-2.2 x 0.7-1.5 mm, ellipsoid or obovoid; upper lemmas glabrous; paleas sparsely hairy on the body and the keels, glabrous or hairy on the flaps.

Published illustration: N. T. Burbidge (1968)Australian grasses 2:pl. 41; Cunningham et al. (1982) Plants of western New South Wales, p. 95.

Distribution:  S.Aust.: NW, LE, GT, FR, EA, EP, NL, MU, YP, SL, SE.   All mainland States except W.Aust. Conservation status: native Flowering time: throughout the year.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: Much grazed.

Author: Not yet available