European
Stickseed - Lappula squarrosa
Family: Boraginaceae
Description
Other names: Stick-tights, beggars-ticks, bur forget-me-not,
and sheep-bur.
This plant is an erect annual plant. Its leaves are aranged alternately
around the stem, and are linear to linear-oblanceolate in shape. The flowering
stalk, or infloresence is a cyme, meaning that they may be arranged in
pairs or along the branch tips. The cyme begins coilded and then becomes
racem-like as it ages. The most distinguishing characteristic however,
are the small blue flowers with 5 petals, 5 sepals and 5 stamens around
a single pistil.
Interesting facts
European stickseed is not native to the United states. It was introduced
from the eastern Mediterranean region around 1700. In fact it was first
reported in Maryland in 1698 and reported to be common in Montreal by
1792 (Royer
and Dickenson 1999).
People consider this plant an weedy species that warrants eradication
because of its tendency of the seeds to spread by sticking to animal fur
and human clothing. In particular it has caused problems for sheep farmers,
whose stock gets the seeds stuck in their wool.
VIDEO
Links
to more information
Species
account - A very detailed PDF of European stickseed with comments
on its intrduction to Alaska.