Hackelia setosa
Bristly stickseed, siskiyou stickseed, Siskiyou Stickseed
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Hackelia setosa (Bristly stickseed) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by bristly spreading hairs >1mm, tapered leaf bases.
Bristly stickseed is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, and northern Sierra Nevada Mountains in open, wooded ridges at elevations of 1,200 to 1,700 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces blue flowers with white throat markings in delicate clusters. Growing with multiple stems 30 to 60 centimeters tall, the plant is characterized by distinctive spreading-bristly hairs. Its basal leaves are narrow and elongated, measuring 9 to 22 centimeters long and 1 to 2.5 centimeters wide, while stem leaves become progressively narrower and more linear. The fruit consists of small nutlets with 9 to 13 abaxial prickles, giving the plant its distinctive bristly appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; key features are bristly spreading hairs >1mm, tapered leaf bases
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, wooded ridges
Elevation: (300)1200-1700 m
Outside California: southwestern Oregon
Bloom period
Hackelia setosa blooms Jun-Jul.
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 setosa native to California?
Yes. Hackelia setosa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hackelia setosa bloom?
Hackelia setosa blooms Jun-Jul.
What plant family does Hackelia setosa belong to?
Hackelia setosa is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Hackelia.
What habitat does Hackelia setosa grow in?
Hackelia setosa grows in Open, wooded ridges.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
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.