Amsinckia lycopsoides aka Scarce Fiddleneck

Amsinckia lycopsoides is an annual in the borage family, Boraginaceae. Its common names include tarweed fiddleneck and scarce fiddleneck. Kew places its native range in western Canada and the western United States. Plants For A Future lists British Columbia, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, and western Montana. It grows in temperate regions. The RHS records it as non-native to Britain and Ireland.

This plant reaches about 2 feet [0.6 metres] in height. It grows as an annual, rather than a lasting woody plant. Wild sites include dry, open slopes and level ground. It also grows where people or other forces have disturbed the soil. The supplied sources give no detail about its spread. They do not describe its stems, leaves, or surface hairs. Its recorded habitat gives more guidance than the sparse description of its form.

Plants For A Future gives July to September as its flowering season. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects pollinate the flowers. The evidence does not describe flower colour, shape, or size. It records seeds as a used plant part. However, it gives no firm account of fruit form or seed ripening. The source's comments about seed shedding are conditional, not confirmed for this species.

For garden growing, choose full sun rather than shade. Plants For A Future says ordinary garden soil suits it. It accepts sandy, loamy, and clay soils. Its stated pH range runs from mildly acid to mildly alkaline. It can grow in either dry or moist soil. The source lists USDA zones 6–9 and a UK zone of 7. That UK figure does not identify an RHS hardiness class. Sow seed in its final growing place in late spring. Cultivated beds are a listed garden setting.

Plants For A Future records food uses for shoots and seeds. It also lists leaves among the edible parts. Reports describe eating fresh shoots and raw seeds. Another use involves grinding parched seeds for uncooked cakes. Its edibility score is low, at one out of five. The source lists no known hazards, but that does not establish safety. It records no medicinal uses or other uses. The supplied evidence gives no species-specific pest or disease information.