Johnny-tuck
Triphysaria eriantha subsp. eriantha
Care
1–1ft tall
Friendly
Prized
Central Valley and surrounding foothills from Kern County to Butte County, below 2000 ft elevation, in grasslands and oak woodlands
Care Guide
Planting
Plant johnny-tuck in fall or winter to align with California's rainy season, when this native annual naturally germinates. Choose a location where it will grow alongside other plants - this species is a facultative root parasite and actually benefits from having neighboring roots to tap into for nutrients, so avoid planting it in isolation. Space plants about 12 inches apart to accommodate their mature height of around 12 inches.
After Planting
Johnny-tuck is an annual plant, meaning it completes its entire life cycle in a single year and will naturally die back after flowering and setting seed. Let it establish naturally through winter and spring rains rather than supplementing with irrigation once germinated. The #1 mistake people make is trying to baby this drought-adapted native - it thrives on rainfall alone and actually prefers drier conditions, so resist the urge to water beyond what nature provides.
Wildlife Supported
Insects
larval feeding on host plant during spring emergence and growth
early spring pollen collection for nest provisioning