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Common Toadflax

Linaria vulgaris

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
For more information please download the BSBI Code of Conduct PDF document.

Plant Profile
Similar Species
Other Information
Distribution Map

Flowering Months:

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Order:

Lamiales

Family:

Veronicaceae (Speedwell)

Also in this family:

Alpine Speedwell, American Speedwell, Blue Water Speedwell, Breckland Speedwell, Brooklime, Common Field Speedwell, Fingered Speedwell, French Speedwell, Garden Speedwell, Germander Speedwell, Heath Speedwell, Ivy-leaved Speedwell, Ivy-leaved Toadflax, Malling Toadflax, Pale Toadflax, Pink Water Speedwell, Prostrate Toadflax, Purple Toadflax, Rock Speedwell, Round-leaved Fluellen, Sand Toadflax, Sharp-leaved Fluellen, Small Toadflax, Snapdragon, Spiked Speedwell, Spring Speedwell, Thyme-leaved Speedwell, Wall Speedwell, Wood Speedwell

Type:

Flower

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Maximum Size:

90 centimetres tall

Habitats:

Ditches, fields, gardens, grassland, hedgerows, meadows, roadsides, rocky places, sand dunes, seaside, wasteland.

Flower:

Yellow, 2 petals

The flowers of Common Toadflax are characterized by their slender, upright stems and lance-shaped leaves. The blooms, appearing from late spring to early autumn, are yellow with orange centers, resembling traditional snapdragons. The flower structure exhibits a distinctive snapdragon-like appearance, adding to the plant's visual appeal. The grey-green foliage complements the vibrant yellow and orange hues of the flowers, creating an eye-catching display in the natural landscape.

Fruit:

The fruit of Common Toadflax consists of small, rounded capsules containing numerous tiny seeds. These capsules develop after the flowering period and contribute to the plant's reproductive cycle. As the capsules mature, they split open, releasing the seeds. The small size and lightweight nature of the seeds facilitate dispersal by wind, allowing the plant to colonize new areas and contribute to its ecological adaptability.

Leaves:

The leaves of Common Toadflax are lance-shaped, exhibiting a slender and elongated form. The foliage is typically a grey-green color, providing a distinctive appearance to the plant. Arranged alternately along the stems, these leaves contribute to the overall slender and upright growth habit of Common Toadflax. The leaves play a role in photosynthesis and contribute to the plant's ability to thrive in various habitats, including dry meadows, roadsides, and disturbed areas.

Aroma:

Common Toadflax is not particularly known for a strong or distinct aroma. The plant's scent is generally mild and not a prominent feature. While some parts of the plant may have a mild, pleasant scent, it is not typically cultivated or sought after for its aromatic qualities. The focus on Common Toadflax often revolves around its visual characteristics, ecological impact, and historical uses rather than its fragrance.

Other Names:

Bread and Butter, Bread and Cheese, Brideweed, Bunny Mouth's, Butter-and-eggs, Buttered Haycocks, Calve's Snout, Churnstaff, Common Linaria, Continental Flower, Dead Man's Bones, Devil's Flax, Devil's Flower, Devil's Head, Devil's Ribbon, Doggies, Dragon Brushes, Eggs-and-bacon, Eggs-and-collops, Flaxweed, Fluellin, Gallwort, Impudent Lawyer, Jacob's Ladder, Larkspur, Lion's Mouth, Monkey Flower, Patten and Clogs, Pedlar's Basket, Pennywort, Pig's Chops, Rabbit Flower, Rabbit Flower, Rabbits, Ramstead, Ranstead, Spurred Snapdragon, Squeeze Jaw, Toad, Toadpipe, Weasel-snout, Wild Flax, Wild Snapdragon, Wild Tobacco, Yellow Rod, Yellow Toadflax.

Frequency (UK):

Common

Trailing Snapdragon

Summary

Linaria vulgaris, also known as common toadflax, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Linaria. It is native to Europe and Asia and can be found in a variety of habitats, including fields, roadsides, and waste places. It is a herbaceous perennial plant that can grow up to 1 meter tall. The plant has narrow, green leaves and produces small, showy, yellow or orange flowers in the summer. It is considered an invasive species in many areas and is often difficult to control once established. It can be a problem in gardens, pastures, and croplands, where it can outcompete native plants.

Blog

Common Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris) is a beautiful wildflower native to Europe and Asia, but it is now widespread in many other parts of the world, including North America. This plant is also known by several other common names, including Wild Snapdragon, Butter-and-Eggs, and Yellow Toadflax.

The Common Toadflax is a hardy plant that is easy to grow and is often used as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks. It grows to a height of 30-90 cm (12-36 in) and has a branched stem that is covered with dense, soft hairs. The leaves of the plant are narrow, linear and grow in pairs along the stem. They are also covered in soft hairs, giving the plant a grayish-green appearance.

The flowers of the Common Toadflax are the highlight of the plant. They are bright yellow with a snapdragon-like shape, and they bloom from June to September. Each flower has two lips, with the upper lip having two small lobes and the lower lip having three larger lobes. The flowers are quite attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making the Common Toadflax an important plant for supporting biodiversity.

Despite its beauty, Common Toadflax can be a troublesome weed in agricultural areas, especially in crop fields and pastures. The plant is highly competitive, and it can quickly spread and outcompete native plants. It is also difficult to control once established, as it has a deep root system that allows it to resprout even after being cut or pulled.

To prevent the spread of Common Toadflax in agricultural areas, it is important to prevent its seeds from spreading. This can be done by removing the flowers before they produce seeds and by controlling the plant's root system through tillage or the use of herbicides. In garden and park settings, the plant can be controlled by pulling it out by the roots or by using mulch to suppress its growth.

The Common Toadflax is a beautiful wildflower that is easy to grow and provides important habitat for pollinators. However, it can also be a troublesome weed in agricultural areas, and it is important to prevent its spread to maintain the health of native ecosystems. Whether grown in a garden or seen in the wild, the Common Toadflax is a plant that is sure to catch the eye with its bright yellow flowers and distinctive snapdragon-like shape.

In traditional medicine, the Common Toadflax has been used to treat a variety of ailments. The plant's leaves, flowers, and roots contain compounds that have been found to have medicinal properties. In particular, the plant has been used as a treatment for coughs, colds, and respiratory problems, as well as skin conditions like rashes and eczema.

The plant has also been used as a food source in some cultures. The young leaves and shoots of the Common Toadflax are edible and can be consumed raw or cooked. They have a slightly bitter taste and are often used in salads or as a cooked vegetable. The plant's roots, on the other hand, are not considered to be edible.

Common Toadflax is also of interest to botanists and ecologists due to its ability to hybridize with other species of Linaria. This plant has hybridized with other species of toadflax to produce new hybrid species that are often more vigorous and invasive than their parents. This highlights the importance of careful management and control of invasive species, as they can quickly spread and impact the health of native ecosystems.

The Common Toadflax is a versatile and interesting plant that has a variety of uses and benefits. Its bright yellow flowers and ability to support pollinators make it a popular ornamental plant, while its medicinal properties and potential as a food source make it of interest to those who study traditional medicine and botany. However, its invasive nature and potential to negatively impact native ecosystems highlight the importance of careful management and control.

Common Toadflax is a plant that is known for its hardiness and ability to thrive in a variety of environments, including disturbed and nutrient-poor soils. This plant is also drought tolerant, which makes it well-suited to regions with dry climates. It is also highly adaptable, and can grow in a range of different light conditions, from full sun to partial shade.

The bright yellow flowers of Common Toadflax are not only attractive to pollinators, but they are also an important source of food for some species of butterfly larvae. The larvae of the painted lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui) and the orange tip butterfly (Anthocharis cardamines) feed on the leaves of Common Toadflax, which helps them to grow and mature.

In addition to being an important source of food for some species of butterfly larvae, the Common Toadflax is also an important plant for research. The plant's genome has been sequenced, and its genetic information has been used to study the evolution and diversification of the Linaria genus. This research has provided valuable insights into the mechanisms that drive the evolution of plant species, and it has applications in the development of new crop varieties that are more resistant to pests and diseases.

Despite its many benefits, Common Toadflax is considered to be a nuisance in many parts of the world, and it is listed as an invasive species in some countries. This is because the plant is highly competitive, and it can quickly spread and outcompete native plants. In some areas, it has even been found to reduce the abundance and diversity of native plant species, which can have negative impacts on the health of local ecosystems.

The Common Toadflax is a versatile and hardy plant that has a variety of benefits and uses. Its bright yellow flowers and ability to support pollinators make it an important plant for conservation, while its adaptability and drought tolerance make it well-suited to a variety of environments. However, its invasive nature highlights the importance of careful management and control in areas where it is considered to be a nuisance.

Common Toadflax is a plant that is native to Europe, but it has been introduced to many other parts of the world, including North America, South America, and Asia. In many of these areas, it has become established and is now considered to be an invasive species.

The spread of Common Toadflax is largely due to human activities, such as the movement of plants for ornamental purposes, the spread of seeds through contaminated soil, and the accidental introduction of the plant through contaminated agricultural products.

Despite its invasive nature, Common Toadflax is still highly valued for its ornamental qualities, and it is widely cultivated as a garden plant in many parts of the world. The plant's bright yellow flowers, which bloom from late spring to early autumn, make it a popular choice for gardeners and landscapers, who use it to add a splash of color to their gardens.

Common Toadflax is also a popular choice for butterfly gardens and pollinator gardens, as the plant's bright yellow flowers attract a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and moths. This makes it an important plant for conservation, as it helps to support the populations of pollinators that are critical for the health of ecosystems.

The Common Toadflax is a plant that has a complex relationship with the environment. On one hand, it is highly valued for its ornamental qualities and its ability to support pollinators, but on the other hand, it is considered to be a nuisance in many parts of the world due to its invasive nature. It is important for gardeners, landscapers, and conservationists to be aware of the potential risks and benefits of this plant, and to take appropriate measures to manage its spread in order to maintain the health of ecosystems.

Controlling the spread of Common Toadflax is important for maintaining the health of ecosystems, especially in areas where it is considered to be an invasive species. There are several different methods that can be used to control the spread of this plant, including physical removal, chemical control, and biological control.

Physical removal involves manually removing the plant and its roots from the ground. This is a labor-intensive method, but it is effective in small areas and is often used in combination with other methods.

Chemical control involves the use of herbicides to kill the plant. This method is effective, but it can also be harmful to non-target species, so it is important to follow the label instructions carefully and to be aware of the potential risks to the environment.

Biological control involves the use of natural predators or pathogens to control the spread of the plant. For example, the stem-boring weevil (Mecinus janthinus) is a natural predator of Common Toadflax that is often used for biological control. This method is considered to be more environmentally friendly than chemical control, but it is important to carefully consider the potential risks and benefits before using it.

In conclusion, controlling the spread of Common Toadflax is important for maintaining the health of ecosystems. There are several different methods that can be used, including physical removal, chemical control, and biological control. Each method has its own benefits and risks, and it is important to carefully consider the potential impacts before deciding on a course of action. Ultimately, the best approach will depend on the specific circumstances and goals of the control effort, and it may be necessary to use a combination of methods in order to achieve the desired results.

25 Common Toadflax Facts

Scientific Name: Linaria vulgaris.
Common Names: Common Toadflax, Butter-and-Eggs, Wild Snapdragon.
Family: Plantaginaceae.
Native Range: Europe and Asia, but now found in various parts of North America as well.
Habitat: Commonly found in dry meadows, roadsides, and disturbed areas.
Appearance: Slender, upright stems with narrow, lance-shaped leaves. Flowers are yellow with orange centers, resembling snapdragons.
Blooming Period: Late spring to early autumn.
Flower Structure: Characterized by a distinctive snapdragon-like flower structure.
Reproduction: Reproduces both by seeds and by spreading rhizomes.
Ecological Impact: Considered invasive in some regions due to its ability to outcompete native plants.
Uses: Traditionally used in herbal medicine for various ailments.
Wildlife Interaction: Attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
Adaptations: Well-adapted to dry, sandy soils and can thrive in disturbed environments.
Height: Typically grows to a height of 1 to 3 feet (30 to 90 cm).
Longevity: Annual or short-lived perennial.
Foliage: Grey-green foliage adds to its distinctive appearance.
Cultural Significance: Has been used in folklore and herbal remedies for centuries.
Soil Preferences: Prefers well-drained soils but can tolerate a variety of soil types.
Weed Status: Considered a weed in agricultural settings due to its aggressive growth.
Control Measures: Management often involves herbicides, mowing, or cultivation.
Medicinal Properties: Contains compounds believed to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
Aromatic Qualities: Some parts of the plant may have a mild, pleasant scent.
Insecticidal Properties: Historical use as an insect repellent in gardens.
Culinary Uses: Not commonly consumed, but some cultures have used it in traditional recipes.
Conservation Concerns: Invasive tendencies can pose a threat to native plant communities, requiring careful management.