The "niggerhead" name apparently refers to the seed head once the petals are gone.
The "niggerhead" name apparently refers to the seed head once the petals are gone.
I've never heard the "blackeyed susan" called a "niggerhead" and remember it as a separate plant. Plus the scientific names are different:
Blackeyed Susan - rudbeckia hirta var. agnustifolia
Niggerhead - Asteraceae Gaillardia suavis
Here it is with the petals. They are sparce and don't last long leaving a ball which is rock hard. You can see how it got it's common name. My research says they are "fragrant" but I don't remember them having any smell.