Plant of the Month ~~ February 2012
updated on or about the 1st of each month
Johnny-jump-up
- Common Name(s): Johnny-jump-up, California Golden Violet, Yellow Violet, Gallitos ("little roosters" in spanish)
- Scientific Name: Viola pedunculata
- Family: Violaceae, Violet family
- Plant Type: perennial
- Size: up to 15 inches high
- Common Habitat: open grassy areas in woodlands, chaparral, sage scrub
Johnny-jump-ups offer a bright splash of yellow at your feet in winter and early spring. You will encounter this plant scattered throughout several different plant communities.
The solitary sunny yellow flowers appear on top of long, slender stems. They are marked with dark brown centers and are about an inch to inch and a half in diameter with 5 petals, 5 sepals and 5 stamens. Blooming occurs from February to April. The bright green heart-shaped, toothed leaves are mostly found near the base of the plants and range from 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches.
The genus name Viola is one of the common classical flower names (like Rosa). The species name pedunculata means "with a distinct stalk" and refers to the prominent flower stems. Johnny-jump-ups are the only member of the Violet family that grows natively in the region.
Contributed by Liz Baumann
Curious what was featured in past Plants of the Month? Search the Archives.
References:
Wildflowers of the Santa Monica Mountains, by Milt McAuleyFlowering Plants: The Santa Monica Mountains, Coastal and Chaparral Regions of Southern California, by Nancy Dale
Roadside Plants of Southern California, by Thomas J. Belzer
California Native Plants for the Garden, by Carol Bornstein, David Fross, and Bart O'Brien
California Herbal Remedies, by LoLo Westrich