Hackelia sharsmithii
Sharsmith's stickseed
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Hackelia sharsmithii (Sharsmith's stickseed) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by alpine habitat, small size, white flowers with blue margins.
Sharsmith's stickseed is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native perennial found in the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains in cliff crevices and talus slopes at elevations of 3,150 to 3,700 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces white to pale blue flowers with delicate blue-edged petals approximately 5.5 to 7 millimeters in diameter. Growing with slender stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall and covered in stiff, appressed hairs that point downward at the base and upward at the top, it has a distinctive structural character. Its basal leaves are elliptic to lanceolate, 3 to 14 centimeters long and 0.6 to 2.3 centimeters wide, while cauline leaves are smaller and oblanceolate to ovate. The fruit consists of small nutlets 2 to 3 millimeters long, with few to no prickles along the margins.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; key features are alpine habitat, small size, white flowers with blue margins
Habitat and range
Habitat: Crevices in cliffs, talus slopes
Elevation: 3150-3700 m
California counties: Inyo, Tulare, Fresno
Outside California: central Nevada
Bloom period
Hackelia sharsmithii blooms Jul-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.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 sharsmithii native to California?
Yes. Hackelia sharsmithii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hackelia sharsmithii bloom?
Hackelia sharsmithii blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Hackelia sharsmithii grow?
Hackelia sharsmithii occurs in Inyo, Tulare, Fresno, at elevations of 3150-3700 m.
What plant family does Hackelia sharsmithii belong to?
Hackelia sharsmithii is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Hackelia.
Is Hackelia sharsmithii rare or endangered?
Hackelia sharsmithii carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Hackelia sp. — Stickseed
- Hackelia velutina — Velvety stickseed
- Hackelia amethystina — Amethyst stickseed
- Hackelia bella — Beautiful stickseed
- Hackelia brevicula — Poison canyon stickseed
- Hackelia californica — California stickseed
- Harpagonella palmeri — Palmer's grapplinghook
- Harpagonella sp. — Grapplinghook
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.