Mid-Atlantic Invaders Tool

yellow toadflax

Linaria vulgaris

P. Mill.

Taxon, Habit: Plant, Forb

Habitat: Terrestrial

U.S. Nativity: Introduced

Species Synonym(s): None

Common Name(s): butter and eggs, Jacob's ladder, wild snapdragon

Family: Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)

Family Synonym(s): None

Native Range (GRIN):

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Plant

Linda Wilson, University of Idaho

Flower

Michael Shephard, USDA Forest Service

Foliage

John Cardina, The Ohio State University

Fruit

John Cardina, The Ohio State University

Plant

Dave Powell, USDA Forest Service (retired)

Flower

Wendy VanDyk Evans

Flower

Caleb Slemmons, National Ecological Observatory Network

Plant

Elizabeth Bella, AECOM

Plant

Steve Dewey, Utah State University

Infestation

Steve Dewey, Utah State University

Root

Steve Dewey, Utah State University

Plant

William M. Ciesla, Forest Health Management International

Infestation

Steve Dewey, Utah State University

Seedling

Elizabeth Bella, AECOM

Fruit

Ken Chamberlain, The Ohio State University

Seed

Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database

Plant

USDA NRCS PLANTS Database , USDA NRCS PLANTS Database

Description

Appearance
Linaria vulgaris is a perennial herb that can reach 3.3 ft. (1 m) tall with erect, smooth stems that emerge in clumps from a spreading root system.
Foliage
Leaves are nearly sessile, drooping, linear and 1-2 in. (2.5-5 cm) long. Leaves can sometimes be sparsely covered by long hairs.
Flowers
Flowering occurs from May to September, when yellow/white, snapdragon-like flowers develop. Flowers, including the spur, are 0.6-1.2 in. (1.5-3 cm) long and occur in racemes at the apex of the stems.
Fruit
Fruits are capsules that are 0.4-0.5 in. (9-12 mm) long. Each capsule contains small, flat blackish seeds with a papery wing.
Ecological Threat
Linaria vulgaris occurs in fields, pastures, roadsides, undisturbed prairies and rangelands. It is native to Europe and was introduced into North America, as an ornamental, in the mid 1600s.

Uses

Landscape Ornamental Use (GRIN): No

All Uses (GRIN): Potential seed contaminant

Distribution Map (EDDMapS)

Wetland Indicator

Summary: yellow toadflax (Linaria vulgaris) is a Terrestrial species.

Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain (AGCP):

Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain regions

No Data

Eastern Mountains and Piedmont (EMP):

Mid-Atlantic Piedmont and Mountain regions

No Data

Northcentral and Northeast (NCNE):

Northern parts of PA and NJ (and beyond)

No Data


Legend (data from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

OBL (Obligate wetland): Almost always occurs in wetlands (estimated probability > 99%) under natural conditions

FACW (Facultative wetland): Usually occurs in wetlands (estimated probability 67% - 99%), but occasionally found in non-wetlands

FAC (Facultative): Equally likely to occur in wetlands (estimated probability 34% - 66%) or non-wetlands

FACU (Facultative upland): Usually occur in non-wetlands (estimated probability 67% - 99%), but occasionally found in wetlands (estimated probability 1% - 33%)

UPL (Obligate upland): Occur almost always (estimated probability > 99%) in non-wetlands under natural conditions

Taxonomic Rank

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Scrophulariales
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Genus: Linaria
Subject: Linaria vulgaris P. Mill.

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