California golden violet facts for kids
Viola pedunculata, also known as the California golden violet, Johnny jump up, or yellow pansy, is a bright yellow wildflower. It grows year after year, meaning it's a perennial plant. You can find it along the coasts and hills of California and northwestern Baja California. While "Johnny jump up" is a common name for this plant, it's also used for a different garden flower called Viola tricolor.
This plant loves open, sunny slopes. It also grows in chaparral areas (which are like shrublands) and oak woodlands. You can find it from sea level up to about 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) high. It likes a bit of shade, but it can also grow well in full sun in many places.
Quick facts for kids California golden violet |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Viola (plant)
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| Species: |
pedunculata
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Contents
What Does the California Golden Violet Look Like?
The California golden violet grows from a spongy underground stem called a rhizome. It often stays low to the ground, but it can grow up to about 15 centimeters (6 inches) tall.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves are usually 1 to 5.5 centimeters long. They are shaped like a heart or a triangle and have scalloped or toothed edges. The leaves can be smooth or a bit hairy. They fall off in the summer, which means the plant is summer deciduous.
The flowers smell nice and bloom in March and April. They are a rich, bright yellow or yellow-orange color. The lower petals have brown-purple lines that help guide insects to the nectar. Each flower has both male and female parts, so they are hermaphrodite. Many different insects, both native and introduced, help to pollinate these flowers. The tiny seeds weigh about 4 milligrams each when dry.
Different Types
There are two main types, or subspecies, of Viola pedunculata:
- Viola pedunculata ssp. pedunculata
- Viola pedunculata ssp. tenuifolia
How People Use This Plant
Edible Parts
Long ago, the Diegueno and Luiseno Native American people in California used the leaves of this plant for food. They would pick the young leaves in the spring, before the flowers appeared. Then, they would boil them and eat them as greens.
The flower buds and petals are also safe to eat. However, like other yellow flowers in the Viola family, eating too many might upset your stomach. You can also make an herbal tea from the leaves.
Growing the California Golden Violet
People grow the California golden violet as an ornamental plant in gardens. It's a great choice for drought tolerant gardens because it doesn't need much water in the summer. It can be used as a seasonal groundcover (a plant that spreads low over the ground) or as a pretty accent plant in native plant and wildlife gardens. It also grows well in pots.
You can grow new plants from seeds or by dividing existing plants. This violet prefers rich soil. It's important not to water it much in the summer when the plant is resting. If you live in a colder place where the plant might not survive the winter outdoors, it grows best when started in a cold frame (a small, low structure that protects plants from cold).
Images for kids
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A close-up of the bright yellow flowers of Viola pedunculata.
