Amsinckia spectabilis
Seaside amsinckia
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Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Amsinckia spectabilis (Seaside amsinckia) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by Only strictly coastal fiddleneck; +-succulent, fine-toothed leaves; black nutlets.
Seaside amsinckia is a California native annual herb found along the coastal regions in coastal bluffs and grassland areas. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces bright yellow flowers with delicate 5-lobed corollas approximately 7 to 19 millimeters long, featuring distinctive dark-fringed calyx lobes. Growing with slender stems reaching 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it has a somewhat succulent appearance with fine-toothed leaves. Its leaves are slightly fleshy with delicate serrated edges, adapting well to coastal environments. The small fruits are nearly black, with subtle sharp tubercles or ridges that aid in seed dispersal.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only strictly coastal fiddleneck; +-succulent, fine-toothed leaves; black nutlets
Habitat and range
California counties: Santa Cruz, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Sonoma, Monterey, San Mateo, Ventura, Mendocino, Marin, San Francisco, Alameda, Tuolumne, Kern, San Bernardino, Humboldt, Fresno, Riverside, San Joaquin, Alpine, Contra Costa, Solano, Mariposa
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 spectabilis native to California?
Yes. Amsinckia spectabilis is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Amsinckia spectabilis grow?
Amsinckia spectabilis occurs in Santa Cruz, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Sonoma, Monterey, San Mateo and other counties.
What plant family does Amsinckia spectabilis belong to?
Amsinckia spectabilis is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Amsinckia.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Amsinckia spectabilis var. microcarpa — Mesa fiddleneck
- Amsinckia spectabilis var. spectabilis — Seaside fiddleneck
- Amsinckia tessellata — Bristly fiddleneck
- Amsinckia tessellata var. gloriosa — Carrizo fiddleneck
- Amsinckia tessellata var. tessellata — Desert fiddleneck
- Amsinckia vernicosa — Waxy fiddleneck
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.