Bristly Fiddleneck (Amsinckia tesselata)

Family: Boraginaceae | Edibility: Edible (1/5)

Amsinckia tesselata is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). It is in flower from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Spring, Early Summer, Late Summer, Fall, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Seed. No more details are given, but the seeds of other members of the genus is dried then ground into a powder and make into cakes which are eaten raw. — No more details are given, but the seeds of other members of the genus is dried then ground into a powder and make into cakes which are eaten raw.; If this species is like most other members of the family Boraginaceae, the seed is likely to ripen over a period of time and individual seeds fall from the plant when they are ripe.; This will make harvesting any quantity of seed very fiddly and time consuming.; Sometimes the leaves are bruised by rubbing them between the hands and are then eaten with salt.

Habitat & North American Range

Roadsides and dry open slopes and flats, often in disturbed soil. (Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10)