Johnny Tuck

Johnny tuck (Triphysaria eriantha) is a beautiful plant that grows rather low but attracts attention by its colourful flowers that are arranged around stem-like formation. The plant is part of the Broomrape family (Orobanchaceae) and you can see similarities in flower shapes with such notable members of the same family as owl's clover and yellow parentucellia (yellow bartsia).

Many member of Orobanchaceae are  root parasites meaning they attach themselves to the roots of other plant to obtain sustenance for themselves. Many plants are partial parasites meaning they can complete their life cycle independently from the host plant.

Here is a picture of johnny tuck.

Johnny tuck at the beach trail 

And here is a close-up

Johnny tuck

Note that sometimes this plant is refereed to as butter-and-eggs though this appellation is more commonly applied to another plant, Linaria vulgaris, also known as yellow or common toadflax.

Yellow Parentucellia

 Yellow parentucellia at Arcata marsh

Yellow parentucellia (or yellow bartsia) is not a very common plant. It is most most often encountered in meadows. Though the flowers make it look like a member of figworts (Scrophulariaceae), this plant belongs to broomrape family (Orobanchaceae).

Yellow parentucellia

Parentucellua flowers