Jessica sticktight facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jessica sticktight |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Hackelia
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| Species: |
micrantha
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| Synonyms | |
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Hackelia jessicae |
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Hackelia micrantha is a type of flowering plant that belongs to the borage family. You might know it better by its common names, Jessica sticktight or Jessica's stickseed. This plant is known for its pretty blue flowers and its unique fruits that can stick to things.
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About Jessica's Stickseed
Jessica's stickseed is a plant that grows naturally in western North America. It can be found in many different places, from the cool areas of British Columbia and Alberta in Canada, all the way south through the Rocky Mountains in the United States. You can spot it in states like Montana, Colorado, Utah, California, and Nevada.
Where it Grows
This plant likes to grow in places that are quite high up. It can be found at elevations from about 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) to 3,500 metres (11,500 ft) above sea level. This includes the tall Rocky Mountains. Jessica's stickseed often grows in open areas like meadows, on sunny slopes with shrubs, or in forests where the trees are not too dense. It also likes to grow near streambanks, where there is usually enough moisture.
What it Looks Like
Jessica's stickseed is a strong plant that lives for many years. It can grow quite tall, reaching heights from 30 centimetres (12 in) up to more than 1 metre (3.3 ft).
Stems and Leaves
The plant has straight stems that grow upwards. At the bottom of these stems, you'll find many leaves. These leaves are shaped like ovals or long, narrow blades, and the longest ones can be over 20 centimetres (7.9 in) long. As you look further up the stems, you'll notice that there are usually no leaves on the upper parts.
Flowers and Fruit
The upper parts of the stems hold groups of bright blue flowers. These flower clusters are called inflorescences. Each tiny flower has five round parts, like petals. At the bottom of each of these parts, there's a smaller, petal-like piece. Jessica's stickseed usually blooms from June through August, making the landscape colorful.
After the flowers fade, the plant produces its fruit. The fruit is a small, dry seed called a nutlet. These nutlets have pointed prickles on them. These prickles help the seeds stick to animal fur or clothing, which is how the plant spreads its seeds to new places. This is why it's called "stickseed"!
