English: European stickseed; Bur forget-me-not; Bluebur; Bristly sheepbur; Spiny Stickseed.
Region: Europe, Asia, introduced in North America and Africa.
Habitat: agricultural fields, roadsides, gravel beds, rocky waste places, overgrazed and cultivated fields and pastures; prefers sunny position.
Culture: noxious weed.
Content: 25% oil, rich in essential fatty acids, stearidonic acid.
Use: food; medicinal.
BotanyHerb; annual herb; 60 to 100 1 cm high; typical smell, similar to a mouse infested building.
Stem: erect; many long, bending branches; covered in stiff, irritating hairs.
Leaves: linear to oval; up to 5 centimeters long; covered with whitish, stiff, irritating hairs; scent unpleasant.
Inflorescence: long, leafy raceme.
Flowers tiny; light blue.
Fruit: cluster of four nutlets; coated in hooked prickles.
Seeds: prolific; readily spread on animal hair and clothing due to the hooked spines on