Stickseeds

Stickseeds, Sticktights, Beggar's Lice

Lappula spp. and Hackelia spp.

Boraginaceae (Borage Family)

▲ ▼ Western Sticktight (Lappula occidentalis) mature, flowering plant

▲ Western Sticktight (Lappula occidentalis) mature, flowering plant

▲ Western Sticktight (Lappula occidentalis) fruit, with single row of hook-like spines around segments

▲ ▼ European Sticktight (Lappula squarrosa) Mature, flowering plants

▲ European Sticktight (Lappula squarrosa) flowers

▲ ▼ European Sticktight (Lappula squarrosa) fruit, with double row of hook-like spines around segments

▲ ▼ Beggar's Lice, Stickseed (Hackelia virginiana) mature, flowering plants

▲ Beggar's Lice, Stickseed (Hackelia virginiana) stem showing terminal inflorescence, flowers, fruit and leaves

▲ Beggar's Lice, Stickseed (Hackelia virginiana) fruit, showing multiple rings of hook-like bracts (almost cuplike) around fruit segments

▲ ▼ Beggar's Lice, Stickseed (Hackelia virginiana) lower leaves

Sticktights, Stickseeds:

Summer annuals in the Boraginaceae (Borage) family with slender, branched stems growing 6-24+ inches tall
Leaves often lanceolate, hairy
Flowers tiny, bluish-white in terminal cymes, followed by oval-rounded fruit with rings of little hook-like spines on them
Several species:
- Western Sticktights:
  - Native species has fruit with single row of spines around margins of fruit
  - common in western Midwest prairies
- European sticktights:
  - European species with fruit with 2-3 rows of spines around margins
  - More common in northern Midwest
- Hackelia, Stickseed, Beggar's Lice:
  - Native species with cup-like ring of spines around fruit margins
  - Taller growing and shade tolerant; found in tall grass areas, riparian areas, open forests