Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Hackelia velutina is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common name velvet stickseed. It is native to the Sierra Nevada and southern Cascade Range of California. Its range may extend into Nevada. This is a lush, hairy perennial herb reaching a maximum height between 40 and 80 centimeters. Most of the lance-shaped leaves are located around the base of the erect stems, the longest to about 17 centimeters. Atop the stems are cyme inflorescences of bright blue to lavender flowers. Each small tubular flower has five lobes with a petallike appendage at the base of each. The fruit is a nutlet covered in long prickles.

Plant type

Perennial herb

Size

1 - 3 ft Tall

Calscape icon
Color

Lavender, Purple, Blue

Plant communities

Lodgepole Forest, Red Fir Forest

Bees
Butterflies

Pollinators supported

3 confirmed and 38 likely

  • Likely

  • Confirmed

White-sided Mason Bee

Osmia albolateralis

Paradise Valley Mason Bee

Osmia paradisica

American Lady

Vanessa virginiensis

Birtwell's Miner Bee

Andrena birtwelli