Linaria vulgaris aka Common Toadflax

Taxonomy

Linaria vulgaris, also known as common toadflax, yellow toadflax, or butter-and-eggs, is a flowering plant native to Europe, Siberia, and Central Asia. It has also been introduced and is now common in North America, where it has become invasive in several western states, including the Piedmont and mountain areas of NC. This herbaceous perennial plant, which belongs to the Plantaginaceae family, has a taproot or long, creeping shoots and can grow up to 90 cm tall. Its stem is erect, simple or branched, and densely leafy. The leaves are linear-lanceolate or linear, pointed, curled at the edges, and glabrous, and the flowers are collected in dense, long apical racemes, 5-15 cm long. The plant is food for most butterflies and contains tannins, peganin alkaloid, flavone glycosides, organic acids, pectins, saponins, vitamin C, and minerals. While it has not been fully investigated, the plant has been tested for its medicinal properties and has been found to act as a mild laxative without side effects. However, it is important to note that the plant can be poisonous. To control its growth, it is recommended to choose an herbicide labeled for use against toadflax and apply it according to the label instructions in spring for Dalmatian toadflax and in late summer or fall for yellow toadflax.

Common names

Common Toadflax, Butter And Eggs, Wild Snapdragon, Jacob's Ladder, Yellow Toadflax

How to care for Common Toadflax

Difficulty

Caring for Common Toadflax is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

Water

Common Toadflax should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Common Toadflax loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Common Toadflax requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Yellow Toadflax is always in the right place to thrive.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Fertilizer

Repotting the Common Toadflax should be done either when it has doubled in size or on a yearly basis, whichever occurs sooner. Fresh potting soil with all the required nutrients, refreshed annually, will provide the plant with all the necessary sustenance, making the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that plants receive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Growth-pattern

New growth will sprout from the top of the Common Toadflax as it grows vertically.

Region of origin

Common Toadflax’s native range is Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to the Pyrenees, Greece and W. Asia.


More info:
Wikipedia