Hackelia velutina
Velvety stickseed, Velvety Stickseed
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Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Hackelia velutina (Velvety stickseed) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by velvety texture, purple tube, recurved 2-pronged appendages, hidden anthers.
Velvety stickseed is a California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains on dry, open slopes, forest clearings, and roadsides at elevations of 1,350 to 2,750 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces blue to purple flowers with white recurved appendages in delicate clusters. Growing with stems 40 to 80 centimeters tall and covered in spreading hairs that are denser toward the lower portion, it develops a distinctive velvety appearance. Its basal leaves are narrow and elliptic, measuring 5 to 17 centimeters long and 0.5 to 2 centimeters wide, with lower stem leaves becoming progressively smaller and more lance-shaped. The fruit consists of rough nutlets with evenly distributed prickles, giving the plant its characteristic sticky texture.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; key features are velvety texture, purple tube, recurved 2-pronged appendages, hidden anthers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, open slopes, forest clearings, roadsides
Elevation: 1350-2750 m
California counties: El Dorado, Tuolumne, Fresno, Nevada, Tulare, Placer, Madera, Calaveras, Amador, Mariposa, Lassen, Kern, Alpine, Mono
Outside California: western Nevada
Bloom period
Hackelia velutina blooms Jun-Aug.
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 velutina native to California?
Yes. Hackelia velutina is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hackelia velutina bloom?
Hackelia velutina blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Hackelia velutina grow?
Hackelia velutina occurs in El Dorado, Tuolumne, Fresno, Nevada, Tulare, Placer, Madera, Calaveras and other counties, at elevations of 1350-2750 m.
What plant family does Hackelia velutina belong to?
Hackelia velutina is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Hackelia.
What habitat does Hackelia velutina grow in?
Hackelia velutina grows in Dry, open slopes, forest clearings, roadsides.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Hackelia amethystina — Amethyst stickseed
- Hackelia bella — Beautiful stickseed
- Hackelia brevicula — Poison canyon stickseed
- Hackelia californica — California stickseed
- Hackelia cusickii — Cusick's stickseed
- Hackelia floribunda — Many-flowered stickseed
- Harpagonella palmeri — Palmer's grapplinghook
- Harpagonella sp. — Grapplinghook
- Johnstonella angelica — Angelic johnstonella
- Johnstonella angustifolia — Narrow-leaved johnstonella
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.