Lappula redowskii var. redowskii
Western stickseed, Western Stickseed
(c) Andrey Zharkikh, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Lappula redowskii var. redowskii (Western stickseed) is a native California annual in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by prickles not forming distinct crown.
Western stickseed is a California native annual found in the Sierra Nevada, San Bernardino Mountains, San Jacinto Mountains, Great Basin, and Desert Mountains in dry, open, rocky, often disturbed sites at elevations of 1,300 to 3,300 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces small white flowers in delicate, curved clusters along thin stems. Growing with slender, branching stems 10 to 40 centimeters tall, it forms open, somewhat sprawling patches. Its leaves are narrow and lance-shaped, becoming smaller and more sparse toward the top of the plant, with lower leaves measuring 3 to 7 centimeters long. The fruit features distinctive marginal prickles on the nutlets that are slightly wider at the base and partially fused.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; key feature is prickles not forming distinct crown
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, open, rocky, often disturbed sites
Elevation: 1300-3300 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Mono, Inyo, Alpine
Outside California: western North America, Eurasia
Bloom period
Lappula redowskii var. redowskii blooms Apr-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Cryptantha: Lappula seeds have marginal barbs; Cryptantha seeds are smooth without hooks.; vs Pectocarya: Both have barbed seeds, but Lappula seeds sit in deep cups; Pectocarya seeds are flat combseeds.; vs Plagiobothrys: Lappula seeds have hooked barbs on margins; Plagiobothrys seeds are smooth-edged.; vs Amsinckia: Lappula has tiny white flowers and barbed seeds; Amsinckia has orange-yellow flowers and smooth seeds.; vs Hackelia: Lappula fruit stalks stay upright; Hackelia stalks curve downward in fruit.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lappula redowskii var. redowskii native to California?
Yes. Lappula redowskii var. redowskii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lappula redowskii var. redowskii bloom?
Lappula redowskii var. redowskii blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Lappula redowskii var. redowskii grow?
Lappula redowskii var. redowskii occurs in San Bernardino, Mono, Inyo, Alpine, at elevations of 1300-3300 m.
What plant family does Lappula redowskii var. redowskii belong to?
Lappula redowskii var. redowskii is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Lappula.
What habitat does Lappula redowskii var. redowskii grow in?
Lappula redowskii var. redowskii grows in Dry, open, rocky, often disturbed sites.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.