Family: Boraginaceae
beggar's-lice, stickseed, wild comfrey
[Lappula virginiana (L.) Greene, more...]
Stephen L. Solheim
Merel R. Black
University of Wisconsin - Madison (WIS-VP)
Etymology: Hackelia: named after J. Hackel (1783-1869), Czech botanist
Plants: erect, biennial, 1'-3' tall forb, stout, many upper branches
Leaves: lower leaves large, ovate, narrowing toward the stalk, upper smaller and 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, rounded, sticky nutlet with prickles on its back
Habitat: upland woods
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: erect, biennial, 1'-3' tall forb, stout, many upper branches
Leaves: lower leaves large, ovate, narrowing toward the stalk, upper smaller and 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, rounded, sticky nutlet with prickles on its back
Habitat: upland woods
Conservation Status: Native
Mesic forests of sugar maple, beech, and basswood to somewhat dry forests of oak and hickory; rarely under pines. Also found in hardwood swamps and lowland forests, thickets, fields, shady waste areas; most characteristic of trail edges and borders of disturbed woods. This species is widespread but still rather rare in the north. It has no doubt spread into some counties due to man or other mammals. The tiny white corollas may very rarely be a pale shade of blue. The plentiful burr-like clusters of nutlets are frustratingly difficult to remove from clothing and pet fur.
Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 3, Wetland Indicator = FAC- USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos David G. Smith's "Delaware Wilflowers": Beautiful photographs; descriptions Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key.
Merel R. Black
Merel R. Black
Hugh H. Iltis
Christopher Noll
Merel R. Black
Hugh H. Iltis
