Hackelia brevicula
Poison canyon stickseed, Poison Canyon Stickseed
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 3.3
Hackelia brevicula (Poison canyon stickseed) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by occurs only in eastern Sierra.
Poison canyon stickseed is a California native perennial found in the White and Inyo Mountains in northern Inyo County on open slopes, dry streambeds, and rocky terrain at elevations of 2,700 to 3,150 meters. Flowering in July, this plant produces pale blue flowers with a limb 5 to 8 millimeters in diameter, forming an open branching inflorescence. Growing with stems 20 to 60 centimeters tall, covered in stiff, coarse hairs that are strongly appressed downward, it has a distinctive appearance. Its leaves are soft-velvety hairy, with basal leaves 6 to 18 centimeters long and 0.5 to 1.8 centimeters wide, narrow-elliptic in shape and becoming progressively smaller up the stem. The fruit consists of small nutlets 2 to 3 millimeters long, with few to no prickles on the surface.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; occurs only in eastern Sierra
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open slopes, dry streambeds, rocky slopes, open aspen stands
Elevation: 2700-3150 m
California counties: Mono, Inyo
Bloom period
Hackelia brevicula blooms Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 3.3
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 brevicula native to California?
Yes. Hackelia brevicula is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hackelia brevicula bloom?
Hackelia brevicula blooms Jul.
Where in California does Hackelia brevicula grow?
Hackelia brevicula occurs in Mono, Inyo, at elevations of 2700-3150 m.
What plant family does Hackelia brevicula belong to?
Hackelia brevicula is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Hackelia.
Is Hackelia brevicula rare or endangered?
Hackelia brevicula carries California Rare Plant Rank 3.3, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · 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.