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Johnny tuck

Triphysaria eriantha

Last reviewed: October 2026

Johnny tuck (Triphysaria eriantha) is a annual forb native to CA, OR. It blooms in March, April, and May. The flowers draw bees.

Johnny tuck (Triphysaria eriantha)
Photo: (c) Mandy Hackney, some rights reserved (CC BY)

Toxicity unknown

Johnny tuck (Triphysaria eriantha) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

4"–14" H × 6"–10" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

CA, OR

Pollinators

bees

Before you buy

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Picture natives in your own yard

Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Johnny tuck.

A small annual wildflower with finely divided leaves and soft spikes of yellow and white two-toned tubular flowers tinged with purple. Partially parasitizes the roots of neighboring grasses, growing in a low, informal patch in open grassland.

Growing Johnny tuck

Grow Johnny tuck in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 4 to 14 inches tall and spread 6 to 10 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Spring flowers provide nectar for small native bees during the peak grassland wildflower bloom.

Common questions

How much sun does Johnny tuck need?
Johnny tuck grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Johnny tuck bloom?
Johnny tuck blooms in March, April, and May.
Where is Johnny tuck native?
Johnny tuck (Triphysaria eriantha) is native to CA, OR, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Johnny tuck attract?
Johnny tuck draws bees.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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Ready to grow Johnny tuck? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.