Lappula squarrosa
(Retz.)Dumort.
Boraginaceae
The Temperate Database is in the process of being updated, with new records being added and old ones being checked and brought up to date where necessary. This record has not yet been checked and updated.
Common Name: Spiny Stickseed
General Information
Lappula squarrosa is an annual plant that can grow up to 0.60 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine
Known Hazards
The leaves and stems are covered in stiff hairs which are irritating to skin[
289- Title
- The National Non-Food Crops Centre Crop Database
- Publication
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- Author
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- Website
- http://www.nnfcc.co.uk/crops/pd.cfm
- Publisher
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- Year
- 0
- ISBN
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- Description
- An excellent on-line information source, with information on over 100 species (as of 2006) of plants being investigated as bio-crops.
].
Botanical References
Range
Europe - most areas except the extreme north and west.
Habitat
Roadsides, waste places, around buildings and overgrazed ranges and cultivated fields[
289- Title
- The National Non-Food Crops Centre Crop Database
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.nnfcc.co.uk/crops/pd.cfm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent on-line information source, with information on over 100 species (as of 2006) of plants being investigated as bio-crops.
].
Properties
Medicinal Rating |   |
Habit | Annual |
Height | 0.60 m |
Pollinators | Insects |
Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Best grown in a sunny position.
A prolific seed producer, the seeds are readily spread on animal hair and clothing due to the hooked spines on the seeds[
289- Title
- The National Non-Food Crops Centre Crop Database
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.nnfcc.co.uk/crops/pd.cfm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent on-line information source, with information on over 100 species (as of 2006) of plants being investigated as bio-crops.
]. The plant has the potential to become a serious weed.
The plant has a characteristic smell similar to a mouse infested building[
289- Title
- The National Non-Food Crops Centre Crop Database
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.nnfcc.co.uk/crops/pd.cfm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent on-line information source, with information on over 100 species (as of 2006) of plants being investigated as bio-crops.
].
Edible Uses
The seed contains up to 25% oil - this is rich in essential fatty acids, including stearidonic acid[
289- Title
- The National Non-Food Crops Centre Crop Database
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.nnfcc.co.uk/crops/pd.cfm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent on-line information source, with information on over 100 species (as of 2006) of plants being investigated as bio-crops.
].
Medicinal
The oil in the seed is antiinflammatory[
289- Title
- The National Non-Food Crops Centre Crop Database
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.nnfcc.co.uk/crops/pd.cfm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent on-line information source, with information on over 100 species (as of 2006) of plants being investigated as bio-crops.
]. The oil contains 18% stearidonic acid - this is important as a precursor in the metabolic pathway leading to the formation of longer chain fatty acids and prostaglandin and therefore plays a key role in human metabolism[
289- Title
- The National Non-Food Crops Centre Crop Database
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.nnfcc.co.uk/crops/pd.cfm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent on-line information source, with information on over 100 species (as of 2006) of plants being investigated as bio-crops.
].
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed - sow in situ. The seed can be autumn or spring sown.
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