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Facts About this Plant:

Hackelia deflexa, or Nodding Stickseed, is native to the northern half of the United States. It grows in open woods, thickets and waste ground. It is usually an annual, though it can sometimes be a biennial.

There are many species of Hackelia in the United States, but almost all of them are confined to the Western United States. This species, and another like it, Hackelia virginiana, have an eastern distribution. This trait alone narrows down the ID to these two species. To distinguish further, the flowers of Hackelia virginiana are white, while those of Hackelia deflexa are blue. Additionally, Hackelia deflexa has smaller, narrower leaves and typically blooms earlier in the season than Hackelia virginiana, and it also has a difference in its seeds - they have spines only on the outer edges, whereas Hackelia virginiana has spines on the entire seed.

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