Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District

 Stickseed (Beggar's Lice)
Hackelia virginiana   [C-value 0]
Borage family (Boraginaceae)
Blooms July - October

The native Stickseed is very common in our area. It prefers partial sun to medium shade and slightly moist fertile loamy soil. Habitats include moist to slightly dry disturbed areas in deciduous woodlands, woodland borders and shady fence rows. This perennial is a slender plant, 1-4' tall, with rough, lance-shaped, long-stemmed lower leaves and smaller elyptic-shaped upper stem leaves. It has racemes of tiny, light blue to white, tubular 5-petaled flowers that are followed by tenacious burs that double-lock in fur and clothing; hence, the common name.

Stickseed early flowering at Pickerill/Pigott Forest Preserve July 19, 2015

Stickseed at Pickerill/Pigott Forest Preserve August 10, 2012

Stickseed (+ Milkweed fuzz) at Subat Forest Preserve August 14, 2013

The double-locking burs of this plant has the distinction of being the inspiration for the invention of Velcro® fasteners.

Stickseed at Lyon Forest Preserve August 3, 2012

Stickseed burs (+milkweed fuzz) at Richard Young FP Oct. 14, 2015

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