Yellow Toadflax

Common Name: Yellow toadflax Scientific Name: Linaria vulgaris Habitat: roadsides, farmland, disturbed areas, grassland Provincial Designation: Noxious Noxious weeds are plant species that are designated as "noxious weeds" in the Alberta weed regulation. Noxious weeds must be controlled, meaning their growth or spread needs to be prevented.

Origin

Yellow Toadflax is native to nearly all parts of Europe and Asia. This plant was brought to North America in the mid-1800s as an ornamental plant. It has also been used medicinally as an anti-inflammatory and to treat digestive disorders.

Legislated Because

This plant has the ability to crowd out native plants in moist grassland and can form large colonies.

Description

The flowers have united petals that form an upper and a lower lip. The flower is mostly yellow with an orange centre on the lower lip. The flower also has a conspicuously long spur extending outwards from the base.

The alternately arranged leaves are lance-shaped, oblong or linear, and often pale green or grey-green in colour.

Stems are erect and grow up to 80 cm high. This plant reproduces by seeds and its creeping root system (rhizomes).

Learn more about this species:

See Fact Sheets - Alberta Invasive Species Council