Amsinckia grandiflora
Large-flowered fiddleneck, large-flowered fiddleneck, large-flowered fiddleneck
(c) Roger Raiche, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Amsinckia grandiflora (Large-flowered fiddleneck) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by no sympatric species.
Large-flowered fiddleneck is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in the western San Joaquin Valley, specifically in San Joaquin County, on grassy slopes at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces striking red-orange flowers 14 to 20 millimeters long with a distinctive corolla limb 10 to 15 millimeters in diameter. Growing with delicate stems, it develops linear to narrow-ovate leaves that are characteristic of its fiddleneck genus. Its leaves are narrow and elongated, complementing the plant's slender growth habit. The fruit is small, approximately 3 to 4 millimeters long, with a smooth, shiny brown surface marked by three longitudinal ridges.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassy slopes
Elevation: < 300 m
California counties: Alameda, San Joaquin, Contra Costa, El Dorado
Bloom period
Amsinckia grandiflora blooms Mar-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
How to tell it apart
vs Phacelia: Amsinckia always has orange or yellow flowers; Phacelia flowers are blue, purple, or white.; vs Plantago: Amsinckia has coiled orange flower clusters; Plantago has dense spikes with tiny white-brown flowers.; vs Helminthotheca: Amsinckia has bristly stems but simple leaves; Helminthotheca leaves are prickly-bumpy textured.; vs Echium: Amsinckia flowers are orange-yellow; Echium flowers are blue-purple and distinctly lopsided.; vs Camissoniopsis: Amsinckia has coiled flower clusters; Camissoniopsis has 4-petaled evening primrose flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Amsinckia grandiflora native to California?
Yes. Amsinckia grandiflora is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Amsinckia grandiflora bloom?
Amsinckia grandiflora blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Amsinckia grandiflora grow?
Amsinckia grandiflora occurs in Alameda, San Joaquin, Contra Costa, El Dorado, at elevations of < 300 m.
What plant family does Amsinckia grandiflora belong to?
Amsinckia grandiflora is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Amsinckia.
Is Amsinckia grandiflora rare or endangered?
Amsinckia grandiflora carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.