Plant Profile: Common Fiddleneck

The open spaces of the Landmarks are filled with a variety of wildlife and plant species. Some plants are easily recognizable, like the California Poppy, and some you may have never seen, such as the one featured in the above video.

The common fiddleneck can be spotted on the trails and identified by its slender bristled stem that coils at the top, resembling the head and neck of a violin or fiddle, giving the plant its name. Part of the “forget-me-not” family, the bright yellow-orange flowers can grow up to four feet tall.

Fiddlenecks are an annual plant, meaning its full life cycle is completed in one year, and are a major food source for butterflies and caterpillars. Common fiddlenecks can often be found blooming on grassy hillsides throughout Orange County’s open space, as well as throughout other parts of California and Mexico.  

For more information about native plants on the Landmarks, visit LetsGoOutside.org or follow the Landmarks on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.