Common fiddleneck (Amsinckia menziesii, Bot. Gaz. 61: 36 (1916))

Family: Boraginaceae

Author: (Lehm.) A.Nelson & J.F.Macbr.

Bibliography: Bot. Gaz. 61: 36 (1916)

Year: 1916

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Amsinckia

Vegetable: False

Observations: SW. Canada to N. Mexico

Description

Common fiddleneck, known scientifically as Amsinckia menziesii, is a fascinating plant species belonging to the family Boraginaceae. This plant has a noteworthy appearance characterized by its coiled and strikingly bright yellow to orange flowers that resemble the shape of a fiddleneck, hence its common name. The species was expertly described in the Botanical Gazette in 1916, under the authorship of Lehmann and later revised by A. Nelson & J.F. Macbride.

In terms of its habitat, Common fiddleneck is widespread across a broad geographical range. From the southwestern parts of Canada, spanning down to the northern regions of Mexico, this resilient plant has adapted to a variety of environmental conditions. Such a wide distribution underscores its ecological versatility and hardiness.

Members of the Boraginaceae family, to which Common fiddleneck belongs, are known for their hairy leaves and stems, a trait that is also evident in this species. These hairs can serve as a defense mechanism against herbivores, while the vibrant flowers are attractive to pollinators, ensuring effective reproduction.

In summary, Amsinckia menziesii or Common fiddleneck is not just admired for its unique floral structure and vivid coloration but also for its adaptability across diverse landscapes in North America. Its botanical heritage and ecological roles make it a significant subject of interest in plant studies.

Common Names

Nld: amsinckia
Eng: common fiddleneck, menzies’ fiddleneck, harvest fiddleneck, orange fiddleneck, rigid fiddleneck, small-flowered fiddleneck
Swe: dvärgmandel
Fra: grémil à petites fleurs, amsinckie de menzies
Deu: menzies-amsinckie
Lit: smulkiažiedė amsinkija
Lav: sīkziedu amzinkija
Est: väike karusilm
En: Common Fiddleneck, Menzies’ fiddleneck, Harvest fiddleneck, Orange fiddleneck, Rigid fiddleneck, Small-flowered fiddleneck
Nl: Amsinckia
Et: Väike karusilm
Fr: Grémil à petites fleurs, Amsinckie de Menzies
De: Menzies-Amsinckie
Lv: Sīkziedu amzinkija
Lt: Smulkiažiedė amsinkija
Sv: Dvärgmandel

Synonyms

• Benthamia menziesii ((Lehm.) Druce)
• Echium menziesii (Lehm.)
• Benthamia idahoensis ((M.E.Jones) Druce)
• Benthamia hispidissima ((Suksd.) Druce)

Distribution

• Alberta (native)
• Arizona (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• California (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Mexican Pacific Is. (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Montana (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Texas (native)
• Utah (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Washington (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Yukon (native)
• Alaska (introduced)
• Aleutian Is. (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Greece (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• North European Russi (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken May 25, 2021 by mdiest (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 12, 2022 by Henry Broeska (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 2, 2021 by di parodi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 10, 2021 by Pino Fierro (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 2, 2021 by di parodi (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Aug 21, 2022 by di Parodi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2020 by Justin Fisher (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 9, 2022 by Anna Maj (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 6, 2021 by yoli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 2, 2021 by di parodi (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2925870)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:11839-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Amsinckia menziesii (Lehm.) A.Nelson & J.F.Macbr.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth