Common Name: Spiny Stickseed

General Information

Lappula squarrosa is an annual to biennial plant, usually producing a single, erect, much-branched stem; it can grow around 30 - 80cm tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine.
A prolific seed producer, the seeds are readily spread on animal hair and clothing due to the hooked spines on the seeds[]. Originally a plant of the steppes and plains, Lappula squarrosa has spread widely with the development of agriculture. It has the potential to become a serious weed[].

Known Hazards

The leaves have stinging hairs, much like stinging nettles (Urtica species) to which they are related[].

Botanical References

Range

Temperate Eurasia - most areas except the extreme north and west.

Habitat

Roadsides, waste places, around buildings and overgrazed ranges and cultivated fields[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual/Biennial
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Best grown in a sunny position.
The plant has a characteristic smell similar to a mouse infested building[].

Edible Uses

The seed contains up to 25% oil - this is rich in essential fatty acids, including stearidonic acid[].

Medicinal

The oil in the seed is antiinflammatory[]. 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[].

The fruit are used as an antiphlogistic[]. (As Lappula myosotis)

Other Uses

The fruit are used as an insecticide[]. (As Lappula myosotis)

Propagation

Seed - sow in situ. The seed can be autumn or spring sown.