Seasonal Wild Flowers

Common Toadflax

Linaria vulgaris

Veronicaceae

Toadflax

June to October

It is found throughoutn the country.

See the BSBI distribution map for Common Toadflax

Common Toadflax is found in hedge banks, grassy and

waste places, by paths, roads and railways, and on walls.

It is a native, rhizomatous, perennial herb growing up to

80cm.

Flowers are in spikes.

They are up to 3cm, yellow and with 2 lips. The upper

lip forms a shallow hood and the lower lip has 2 deep

yellow to orange bulges.

There is a straight downwardly pointing spur.

There are 4 stamens and a single style with a greenish

capitate stigma. These are hidden by the upper-lip hood

and the lower-lip bulges.

The fruits are capsules.

Leaves are soft, greyish and linear to lanceolate.

Common Toadflax on wasteland,

Lancaster

Single spike on wall, Lancaster

Flowers seen from front

Flowers from side, showing spurs

Corolla tube, spur and calyx

4 stamens, style and capitate stigma

Close-up of anthers and stigma

Leaves