Lappula sp.
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Annual · Variable; species dependent
Lappula sp. is a non-native California annual in the Boraginaceae family.
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 sp. native to California?
No. Lappula sp. is not native to California (recorded as variable; species dependent).
What plant family does Lappula sp. belong to?
Lappula sp. is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Lappula.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Lappula squarrosa — Two-rowed stickseed
- Lappula redowskii — Redowski's stickseed
- Lappula redowskii var. cupulata — Crowned stickseed
- Lappula redowskii var. redowskii — Western stickseed
- Lithospermum arvense — Gromwell
- Lithospermum californicum — California stoneseed
- Lithospermum incisum — Plains stoneseed
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.