Amsinckia spectabilis var. microcarpa
Mesa fiddleneck, Mesa Fiddleneck
Photo: parent species Amsinckia spectabilis · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Amsinckia spectabilis var. microcarpa (Mesa fiddleneck) is a native California annual in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by coastal habitat and larger flowers with equal lobes diagnostic.
Mesa fiddleneck is a California native annual found in southern Central Coast bioregions on sandy mesas and stabilized dunes at elevations below 180 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces yellow to orange flowers with a corolla 12 to 19 millimeters long and a limb 8 to 14 millimeters in diameter. Growing with erect stems, it develops sharp-pointed fruits about 1 to 1.5 millimeters long. Its leaves are narrow and elongated, typical of the fiddleneck genus, arranged alternately along the stem. The plant's compact structure and bright flowers make it a distinctive component of coastal sandy habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; coastal habitat and larger flowers with equal lobes diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Localized. Sandy mesas, stabilized dunes
Elevation: < 180 m
California counties: San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura
Bloom period
Amsinckia spectabilis var. microcarpa blooms Apr-Jun.
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 var. microcarpa native to California?
Yes. Amsinckia spectabilis var. microcarpa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Amsinckia spectabilis var. microcarpa bloom?
Amsinckia spectabilis var. microcarpa blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Amsinckia spectabilis var. microcarpa grow?
Amsinckia spectabilis var. microcarpa occurs in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, at elevations of < 180 m.
What plant family does Amsinckia spectabilis var. microcarpa belong to?
Amsinckia spectabilis var. microcarpa is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Amsinckia.
What habitat does Amsinckia spectabilis var. microcarpa grow in?
Amsinckia spectabilis var. microcarpa grows in Localized. Sandy mesas, stabilized dunes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.