Amsinckia tessellata

Species category

Weed

Common name

bristly fiddleneck

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

NutletNutlet:
A small, dry, indehiscent carpel of a fruit, usually composed of one quarter of the fruit with each enclosing a single seed (e.g. mints).

Shape

ObovateObovate:
Inverted egg shaped with apical end the broadest.
to spatulateSpatulate:
Having a narrow base and rounded apex. Pear-shaped.

Size

  • Length: 3.5 mm
  • Width: 2.5 mm
  • Thickness: 1 mm

Color

Light brown

Texture

Rounded warty, sometimes forming transverseTransverse:
Set crosswise, crossing or at right angles.
ridges.

Other structures

Longitudinal ridge

Identification notes

NutletsNutlet:
A small, dry, indehiscent carpel of a fruit, usually composed of one quarter of the fruit with each enclosing a single seed (e.g. mints).
are spatulateSpatulate:
Having a narrow base and rounded apex. Pear-shaped.
in dorsalDorsal:
Upper side or back of a seed or fruit.
view. Surface is extremely warty which often forms minor transverseTransverse:
Set crosswise, crossing or at right angles.
ridges. Surface texture is very hard and can appear porcelain-like. A scar is spatulateSpatulate:
Having a narrow base and rounded apex. Pear-shaped.
and central on the ventralVentral:
Adaxial; of the side of an organ facing the axis (compare dorsal).
side.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Included

Nomenclature

Family

Boraginaceae

Valid name

Amsinckia tessellata A. Gray

 Amsinckia tessellata.  Nutlets are spatulate from a dorsal view. The surface is extremely warty, which often forms minor transverse ridges. Surface texture is very hard and can appear porcelain-like. A scar is spatulate and central on the ventral side.
Amsinckia tessellata. Nutlets are spatulate from a dorsal view. The surface is extremely warty, which often forms minor transverse ridges. Surface texture is very hard and can appear porcelain-like. A scar is spatulate and central on the ventral side.
 Amsinckia tessellata.  Ventral / adaxial view of fruit. Adaxial side of nutlet showing fruit attachment scar. Photo courtesy of USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Amsinckia tessellata. Ventral / adaxial view of fruit. Adaxial side of nutlet showing fruit attachment scar. Photo courtesy of USDA-APHIS-PPQ.