Showy stickseed

Hackelia venusta is a rare species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common name showy stickseed, or lesser showy stickseed. It is endemic to Washington state in the United States, where it is known from only one canyon in Chelan County. There is only one small population with a global distribution of less than one hectare. The plant was federally listed as an endangered species of the United States in 2002.

This is a perennial herb producing several leafy stems up to 20 to 40 centimeters (7.9 to 15.7 in) tall from a taproot. The plant blooms in April and May, bearing clusters of white or blue-tinged flowers. Each flower is 1–2 centimeters (0.4–0.8 in) across with five rounded lobes and a short tubular throat. The fruit is a nutlet covered with hooked hairs that allow it to attach to the fur of animals and be dispersed from the parent plant. The hooks are sticky enough to cling to human skin.