lappula

Lappula is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae, commonly known as stickseeds or burr forget-me-nots. These plants are distributed primarily across temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with numerous species native to North America, Europe, and Asia. They typically grow in disturbed areas, fields, roadsides, and other open habitats.

Lappula species are annual or biennial herbs that produce small flowers, usually blue or white in color. The most distinctive feature of these plants is their fruit, which forms into burrs covered with sharp, hooked spines. These spines allow the seeds to attach to animal fur and clothing, facilitating seed dispersal—a characteristic that gives the plants their common name stickseed.

Some notable species include Lappula squarrosa, commonly called European stickseed, and Lappula echinata, known as prickly stickseed. While not considered major agricultural weeds, some Lappula species can become invasive in certain regions. The plants have historically been used in traditional medicine, though their effectiveness for these purposes remains largely unsubstantiated by modern scientific research.