California fiddleleaf facts for kids

The Nama californicum is a small flowering plant. It is part of the borage family. People often call it the California fiddleleaf.

This plant naturally grows in many parts of California and some areas of western Nevada. You can find it in dry, sandy places. This includes deserts, mountains, and valleys.

What it Looks Like

The California fiddleleaf is an annual plant. This means it lives for only one growing season. It is covered in many tiny hairs, making it feel fuzzy. The plant grows low to the ground, forming a small patch. Its stems usually spread out and are no longer than 10 centimeters (about 4 inches).

The leaves are small and can be oval, shaped like a spear, or like a spoon. They are also covered in fine or coarse hairs. The plant's flowers grow in a group called an inflorescence. These flowers are very tiny and shaped like tubes. They are usually pale pink or white. Each flower has five small parts, or lobes, and is only about 2 millimeters wide.