Family: Boraginaceae
American stickseed, cliff stickseed, nodding stickseed
[Echinospermum deflexum (Wahlenb.) Lehm., more...]
Etymology: Hackelia: named after J. Hackel (1783-1869), Czech botanist
Plants: erect, biennial, 1'-3' tall forb, slender, many upper branches
Leaves: lower leaves narrowing towards the stalk, upper becoming stalkless
Flowers: white to bluish, 5-parted, 1/8" wide, dish to funnel-shaped, tube shorter than the lobes; inflorescence of many, paired, spreading clusters (racemes) of stalked flowers becoming 2"-6" long, leafless near the top but with leaf bracts toward the bottom often alternating with the flowers; blooms July-Sept.
Fruits: short-stalked nutlet with mostly no prickles on its back;
Habitat: moist woods, thickets, hillsides
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: erect, biennial, 1'-3' tall forb, slender, many upper branches
Leaves: lower leaves narrowing towards the stalk, upper becoming stalkless
Flowers: white to bluish, 5-parted, 1/8" wide, dish to funnel-shaped, tube shorter than the lobes; inflorescence of many, paired, spreading clusters (racemes) of stalked flowers becoming 2"-6" long, leafless near the top but with leaf bracts toward the bottom often alternating with the flowers; blooms July-Sept.
Fruits: short-stalked nutlet with mostly no prickles on its back;
Habitat: moist woods, thickets, hillsides
Conservation Status: Native
Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 3 USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos
Paul E. Berry
