common toadflax
ExplorePlants
common toadflax
Linaria vulgaris
Common toadflax is a bright yellow flower that looks like a little dragon! It grows in fields and along roadsides, bringing color to nature. Its pretty blooms attract butterflies and bees.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The common toadflax is an upright perennial with slender stems and narrow, grey-green leaves. Its striking yellow flowers, resembling miniature snapdragons, feature a prominent orange spot on the lower lip, making them visually distinct.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderLamialesFamilyPlantaginaceaeGenusLinaria
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Its flowers are often called "butter-and-eggs" or "dragon's mouth"!
Its scientific name, Linaria, means "flax-like" due to its slender leaves.
People once used its cheerful yellow flowers to make a bright yellow dye.
Though sometimes a weed, it adds vibrant color to roadsides!
Special abilities
Ability
Soil Survivor
Common toadflax can thrive in poor, disturbed soils thanks to a tough, spreading root system.
Ability
Floral Gate
Common toadflax has a tightly closed flower mouth, requiring strong insects like bumblebees to push it open.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-90 cm
- Spread
- 15-30 cm
- Flower Size
- 2-3 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer to fall
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Buff-tailed bumblebee
Bombus terrestris
collects nectar and pollen from flowers
eats
Toadflax Case-bearer Moth
Coleophora linariella
larvae feed on its leaves and seeds
eats
Toadflax Root Weevil
Mecinus janthinus
larvae feed on its roots and stems
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Summer Blooming
Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't pick flowers unless an adult says it's okay.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is common toadflax?
30-90 cm
How wide does common toadflax spread?
15-30 cm
How big are the flowers on common toadflax?
2-3 cm
When does common toadflax bloom?
Summer to fall
Is common toadflax edible?
No
Is common toadflax toxic?
Mild
What is common toadflax's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is common toadflax pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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Where to spot
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Zoologická zahrada města Brna
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