Hackelia virginiana.2011 © Peter M. Dziuk.Minnesota Wildflowers.minnesotawildflowers.info (Accessed 1/2017).

Hackelia virginiana is a biennial herb, stout, to 1 m tall, finely hairy, branches numerous, perpendicular to stem axis. 

Leaves alternate, stalked, blade elliptic, basal leaves rounded, to 30 cm long, 7 cm wide, usually withering before plant flowers, stem leaves pointed at both ends, stalkless (sessile), becoming small bracts on flowering stems. 

Flowers white, tubular, small, radially symmetrical, to 0.3 cm wide, 5-parted, petal lobes spreading, small rounded appendages (fornices) block throat of corolla; ovary superior, deeply 4-lobed, borne on the elongated floral base (receptacle); inflorescence uncoiling from tip of branch as flowers develop, fruit develops behind flowers (as in many Ranunculaceae); blooms and fruits July-Sept. 

Hackelia virginiana.fruit.2011 © Peter M. Dziuk.Minnesota Wild Flowers.minnesotawildflowers.info (Accessed (1/2017).

Fruit green, becoming dry, four parted, round, prickly capsule 0.5-0.6 cm wide, containing 4 nutlets, to 0.3 cm. Hooked and sticking on fur or clothing for dispersal.

Wetland status: FACU. 

Frequency in NYC: Very infrequent. 

Origin: Native. 

Habitat: Dry woods.