Nineawn pappusgrass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nineawn pappusgrass |
|
---|---|
![]() |
|
Scientific classification | |
Genus: |
Enneapogon
|
Species: |
desvauxii
|
Synonyms | |
Pappophorum wrightii |
Enneapogon desvauxii, also known as nineawn pappusgrass, is a type of grass. It's a short plant that grows in clumps, meaning many stems grow together from one base. This grass is found naturally in the southwestern United States, northern Mexico, parts of South America, and many dry areas of Africa. It's less common on other continents.
What it Looks Like
Enneapogon desvauxii grows straight stems that can be anywhere from 10 to 40 centimeters (about 4 to 16 inches) tall.
The plant has a few leaves that are thin and a bit hairy. Its flowers grow in fluffy, gray clusters called inflorescences. Each flower cluster is about 3 to 6 centimeters (1 to 2.5 inches) long. Inside these clusters are tiny flowers called florets. These florets develop into the plant's seeds. Each seed has nine long, spreading bristles, called awns, which are covered in white hairs. These awns help the seeds spread.