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bristly fiddleneck

Scientific Name: Amsinckia tessellata

Family: Boraginaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Annual

Other Names:

       

Amsinckia tessellata: Bristly Fiddleneck

Amsinckia tessellata, commonly known as bristly fiddleneck, tessellate fiddleneck, checker fiddleneck, or devil's lettuce, is an annual plant with distinctive characteristics and a notable presence in western North America.

Considerations for Pets and Children

  • The plant is called "bristly" due to the presence of stiff, bristly hairs on the leaves and stems.
  • Each flower produces 4 seeds loosely enclosed in an expanded bristly calyx.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

  • Scientific Name: Amsinckia tessellata A. Gray
  • Common Names: Bristly fiddleneck, tessellate fiddleneck, checker fiddleneck, devil's lettuce, western fiddleneck.
  • Family: Boraginaceae (Borage Family)
  • Taxonomic Rank: Species
  • Synonyms:
    • Amsinckia densirugosa Suksd.
    • Amsinckia hendersonii
  • Varieties: Amsinckia tessellata var. gloriosa (Eastw. ex Suksd.) Hoover

Distribution and Habitat

Amsinckia tessellata is native to much of western North America, including regions like California, Arizona, Oregon, and Washington, as well as parts of Idaho.

Ecological Role

  • It is often described as an introduced annual weed.
  • The plant can be part of an early seral seed mix for restoration projects. It can compete with invasive species like medusahead.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Amsinckia tessellata is an annual forb, growing up to 0.6 meters (2 feet) in height.
  • It has lanceolate leaves covered in tiny hairs.
  • The plant gets the name "fiddleneck" from the arching shape of its flower head (inflorescence). The inflorescence is coiled.
  • The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs).
  • Each flower produces 4 seeds loosely enclosed in an expanded bristly calyx.

Additional Information

  • Flowering occurs from July to September.
  • Watering should only take place when the soil has been dry for days, usually every 4-5 weeks.

Resources

  • Dave's Garden: A community for sharing gardening tips and ideas.
  • CalPhotos: A resource for images of Amsinckia tessellata.
  • United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Plants Database