Hackelia amethystina
Amethyst stickseed
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Hackelia amethystina (Amethyst stickseed) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by open throat, blue corolla, exserted appendages.
Amethyst stickseed is a California native perennial found in northern Sierra Nevada Mountains in Plumas and Placer counties, growing in meadows, forest clearings, and roadsides at elevations of 1,370 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces blue flowers occasionally with pink at the center, spreading 7 to 12 millimeters in diameter. Growing with stems 40 to 80 centimeters tall and covered in soft spreading hairs less than one millimeter long, it forms dense clusters of delicate growth. Its basal leaves are narrow-elliptic, 10 to 30 centimeters long and 1.3 to 4 centimeters wide, with mid-stem leaves lance-shaped and slightly clasping at the base. The fruits develop small nutlets with 10 to 17 abaxial prickles, each 4 to 5 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; key features are open throat, blue corolla, exserted appendages
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows, forest clearings, roadsides, occasionally along streambanks
Elevation: 1370-2200 m
Bloom period
Hackelia amethystina blooms Jun-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
How to tell it apart
vs Myosotis: Hackelia has downward-curved fruit stalks and barbed seeds; Myosotis has smooth seeds.; vs Adelinia: Hackelia fruit stalks curve downward; Adelinia stalks remain upright or spreading.; vs Cynoglossum: Hackelia seeds sit in shallow cups; Cynoglossum seeds are deeply embedded in dense burrs.; vs Phlox: Hackelia has barbed seeds and coiled clusters; Phlox has capsules and open flower arrangements.; vs Mertensia: Hackelia has flat-faced flowers and barbed seeds; Mertensia has bell-shaped flowers and smooth seeds.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hackelia amethystina native to California?
Yes. Hackelia amethystina is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hackelia amethystina bloom?
Hackelia amethystina blooms Jun-Jul.
What plant family does Hackelia amethystina belong to?
Hackelia amethystina is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Hackelia.
Is Hackelia amethystina rare or endangered?
Hackelia amethystina carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
What habitat does Hackelia amethystina grow in?
Hackelia amethystina grows in Meadows, forest clearings, roadsides, occasionally along streambanks.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.