Amsinckia spectabilis var. spectabilis
Seaside fiddleneck
Photo: parent species Amsinckia spectabilis · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Amsinckia spectabilis var. spectabilis (Seaside fiddleneck) is a native California annual in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by succulent toothed leaves and fused calyx lobes diagnostic.
Seaside fiddleneck is a California native annual found in coastal bioregions including North Coast, Central Coast, Southern Coast, and Channel Islands on coastal dunes and sandy bluffs at elevations below 170 meters. Flowering from April to August, this plant produces yellow-orange flowers with delicate, asymmetrical calyx lobes and corolla limbs 5 to 12 millimeters in diameter. Growing with generally decumbent stems that sprawl across sandy terrain, it develops a low-spreading habit characteristic of coastal environments. Its leaves are typically narrow and lance-shaped, arranged alternately along the stem, complementing the plant's adaptable growth pattern. Small fruits approximately 1.5 to 2 millimeters long develop with occasionally ridged surfaces and sharp or subtle tubercles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; succulent toothed leaves and fused calyx lobes diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal dunes or sandy bluffs
Elevation: < 170(300) m
California counties: Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Marin, San Mateo, Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Diego
Outside California: to British Columbia, Baja California
Bloom period
Amsinckia spectabilis var. spectabilis blooms Apr-Aug.
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. spectabilis native to California?
Yes. Amsinckia spectabilis var. spectabilis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Amsinckia spectabilis var. spectabilis bloom?
Amsinckia spectabilis var. spectabilis blooms Apr-Aug.
Where in California does Amsinckia spectabilis var. spectabilis grow?
Amsinckia spectabilis var. spectabilis occurs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Marin, San Mateo, Monterey and other counties, at elevations of < 170(300) m.
What plant family does Amsinckia spectabilis var. spectabilis belong to?
Amsinckia spectabilis var. spectabilis is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Amsinckia.
What habitat does Amsinckia spectabilis var. spectabilis grow in?
Amsinckia spectabilis var. spectabilis grows in Coastal dunes or sandy bluffs.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.