Johnny-tuck facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Johnny-tuck
Scientific classification
Genus:	Triphysaria
Species:	eriantha

Triphysaria eriantha is a special flowering plant. People often call it johnny-tuck or butter-and-eggs because of its bright, colorful flowers. It's part of a plant family known as Orobanchaceae.

This plant grows naturally in California and southwestern Oregon. You can find it in many different places, like dry, bushy areas called chaparral. It's quite common in some parts of these regions.

What Does Triphysaria eriantha Look Like?

Triphysaria eriantha is an annual plant, which means it grows from a seed, flowers, and then dies all within one year. It has a stem that can grow up to about 35 centimeters (about 14 inches) tall. This stem is often a bit purple and feels hairy.

Its leaves are green or sometimes purplish. They can be up to 5 centimeters (about 2 inches) long. Each leaf is divided into a few narrow, pointed parts.

How This Plant Gets Its Food

Like some other plants in its family, Triphysaria eriantha is a facultative root parasite. This sounds complicated, but it just means it can get some extra nutrients by connecting to the roots of other plants. It uses special parts called haustoria to gently tap into their roots. Think of it like a friendly neighbor sharing a snack! It doesn't harm the other plant too much.

The Unique Flowers of Johnny-Tuck

The flowers of Triphysaria eriantha grow in a cluster, forming a spike. Each flower has two main parts, like lips.

• The upper lip is very thin and narrow, usually purple.
• The lower lip is wider and divided into three small pouches.

The color of these pouches can be different depending on the type of Triphysaria eriantha:

• The most common type, called ssp. eriantha, has pouches that are white and bright yellow. This is why it's often called "butter-and-eggs"!
• A less common type, found near the coast and called subsp. rosea, has white pouches with a hint of pink.

Gallery

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  Pink butter-and-eggs

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  Triphysaria eriantha