Common names:
Bristly fiddleneck, checker fiddleneck, devil's lettuce
Family:
Scientific name:
Amsinckia tessellata
Main flower color:
Range:
Idaho, Utah and southwest New Mexico, and all states to the west
Height:
Between 8 and 24 inches
Habitat:
Dry, sandy locations
Leaves:
Alternate, mostly stalkless; lanceolate, oblong or oblanceolate in shape, with a lengthwise groove (vein) along the middle
Season:
March to May
Like all fiddleneck species, amsinckia tessellata produces small yellow flowers, on a stem which gradually unfurls - mostly straight but coiled at the top - and all green parts of the plant are covered by long, thick, bristly hairs, irritating to the touch. The tubular flowers open to five lobes, often with small orange patches around the inside of the corolla tube. The green calyx underneath has 2 to 4 lobes, fused below the middle, separated by whitish bands. Lobes have a lighter-colored stripe down the middle. Stems have a covering of short hairs in addition to the longer bristles. Leaves tend to curl somewhat, often with wavy edges. Both sides of the leaves are equally hairy.
Two varieties are var gloriosa, with a corolla about half an inch long and anthers separate from the stigma, and var tessellata, where the corolla is less than half an inch long and the anthers are touching the stigma.
Two varieties are var gloriosa, with a corolla about half an inch long and anthers separate from the stigma, and var tessellata, where the corolla is less than half an inch long and the anthers are touching the stigma.
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