From what I have read, tarweed and
fiddleneck are the same weed.
No, they aren't. I live in the central Sierra foothills and they
are different. Fiddleneck shows up in the spring, has little sharp hairs
on the leaves and the stems of the plant, and is characterized by a
yellow-gold "fiddle neck" shaped flower stalk. They are gone by this
time of year, dried up.
Now, Tarweed is different...it is out now. It is sticky, and smells
like chamomile to me. This stuff hangs around all summer, and in pasture,
will coat your horse with a lovely "tar" on the legs and face because it leaves
its sap which collects dirt.
