September 20, 1952: 67 years ago

It's fall seed dispersal time!

This specimen of Virginia stickseed (Hackelia virginiana), also interestingly called beggar’s lice, was collected on September 20, 1952 by Leroy Henry (Carnegie Museum Curator of Botany at the time) in the woods of Blair county, Pennsylvania.
 
The common name for this plant is quite appropriate.  The small seeds have many burs on them, making them very sticky.  And stick to your clothes with barely a touch, making them easily dispersed (unknowingly) by animals. 
 
If you have a dog, you’ve likely pulled these out their fur in the fall!  My dog was covered in them the other day, which was both amazing and annoying at the same time.
 
Stickseed is in the borage family, Boraginaceae.  It has very small white flowers that resemble forget-me-not, also in the same plant family.  However, it is the fruit/seeds that are most memorable.
 
Find high resolution image of this teaberry specimen (and more) online here:
midatlanticherbaria.org/portal/collections/individual/index.php?occid=12253345&clid=0