Hackelia deflexa (Wahlenb.) Opiz ssp. americana (Gray) A. & D. Löve

Northern Stickseed

Habitat: Rich woods. [Hardwood to mixed forest (forest, upland)]

Range: Quebec to Manitoba, British Columbia, Iowa, Nebraska and Wyoming. Also in Europe and Asia.

Aids to Identification: Northern stickseed grows 0.3-1 m high, with oblong, roughly hairy leaves 5-15 cm in length which occur alternately along the stem. It produces a branched cluster of tiny bluish-white flowers.

Ecological characteristics: Found on bluffs and in rocky woods. The name derives itself from the small bur-like fruit which sticks to clothing and animal fur.

Phenology: Flowers in late June.

Family: Boraginaceae

Synonyms: Hackelia americana (Gray) Fern.; Hackelia deflexa (Wahlenb.) Opiz. var. americana (Gray) Fern. & I.M. Johnson; Lappula americana (Gray) Rydb.; Lappula deflexa (Gray) Rydb. ssp. americana (Gray) Hultén; Lappula deflexa (Gray) Rydb. var. americana (Gray) Greene.

Known Distribution in Maine: This rare plant has been documented from a total of 2 town(s) in the following county(ies): Oxford.

Reason(s) for rarity: Southern edge of its range.

Conservation considerations: Known populations are small, and subject to the vagaries of small populations like random fluctuations or localized disturbance events.

For more information, see the Native Plant Trust's Conservation Plan for Hackelia deflexa.