How to identify Fiddlenecks (Amsinckia)

Photo By Liam O'Brien , used under CC-BY-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original

How to identify Fiddlenecks (Amsinckia)

Fiddlenecks is characterized by coarse, hair-like bristles covering its stems and leaves, imparting a rough texture. This annual herb typically exhibits a distinctive curling at the tip of its flowering stems, which bear closely-clustered, trumpet-shaped flowers shaded golden-yellow. Flowering typically spans from early spring to summer. The leaves of fiddlenecks are simple, alternate, and range from lanceolate to oblong in shape. Plants may reach heights of up to 3 feet (91 cm), contributing to their conspicuous presence in their natural environments.

Lifespan: Annual

Leaf Type: Semi-evergreen

Quickly Identify Fiddlenecks

Bristles cover stems and leaves, creating a rough texture for easy identification.

Trumpet-shaped flowers colored golden-yellow form tightly-clustered blooms along curling stems.

Small nutlets with gray hue emerge at the base, exhibiting resilience in size and texture.

Basal, narrowly oblanceolate leaves with bristly hairs and smooth margins contribute to unique gray-green appearance.

Height reaching up to 3 feet (91 cm) allows for conspicuous presence in natural habitats.

Detailed Traits of Fiddlenecks

Leaf Features

Fiddlenecks has basal leaves that are alternate and narrowly oblanceolate, characterized by their gray-green color. The leaves are typically about 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long. Their margins are entire, meaning smooth and unlobed. A key identifying feature is the bristly hairs that cover the leaves, giving them a rough texture. The veins are not particularly prominent, and the leaves have a thick, somewhat leathery feel due to the profuse bristle coverage.

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Flower Features

The flowers of fiddlenecks are distinguished by their five-petaled, dark golden yellow to orange hue, forming funnel shapes. They are arranged in a unique scorpion-like curving spike ranging from 2 to 15 inches (5 to 38 cm) long. Each flower features leafy bracts at the base and blooms consistently throughout spring and into the summer.

Learn About the Flower Glossary

Fruit Features

The fruits of fiddlenecks are distinguished by their diminutive size with unique characteristics that aid in identification. These fruits manifest as tiny nutlets that are basal in origin, emerging at the plant's base. They possess a distinct gray hue, contributing to their recognition. The nutlets feature a subtle texture, and while minuscule, they are notably resilient. Each nutlet's dimensions are diminutive, further defining the identifying traits of this species's fruit.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

A Botanist in Your Pocket

Scan QR code to download

More Plants You May Like and How to Identify Them

Cape jasmine

Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.

Golden pothos

The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.

Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.

Pepper

The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.

Swiss cheese plant

The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.

Bigleaf hydrangea

The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.

Identify Fiddlenecks easily and quickly

We're also capable of identifying over 12,000 types of plants, flowers, succulents, and trees in your surroundings.