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Dalmation Toadflax, Broadleaf Toadflax - Linaria dalmatica


Family: Plantaginaceae – Plantain family Genus Common Name: Toadflax Native Status: Introduced
Linaria dalmatica - Dalmation Toadflax, Broadleaf Toadflax. Dalmation Toadflax is a plant that was introduced from Europe in the 19th century as an ornamental, and is now classified as an invasive noxious weed in 12 states. It is now found throughout the lower 48 United States except in the southeast.

This is another of many plants undergoing relatively recent changes in classification, with the Linaria genus recently being placed in Plantaginaceae, the Plantain family, having been moved out of Scrophulariaceae – the Figwort family.

Similar species - Butter-and-Egg Plant - Linaria vulgaris, another introduced plant which has officially become a noxious weed. Linaria vulgaris is found throughout the United States, including the southeast. The easiest differentiator between L. vulgaris and L. dalmatica is that L. dalmatica has clasping leaves.

Found in:
AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, MA, ME, MI, MN, MT, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, WY
Distribution of Linaria dalmatica in the United States and Canada:
USDA Plants Distribution Map
Blue=Native; Grey=Introduced

Map from USDA Plants Database:
USDA, NRCS. 2009. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 21 May 2013). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.

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Site: Kleinschmidt Grade, Adams County, ID Date: 2012-May-26Photographer: Gerald C. Williamson
Nikon D7000
Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
The petals on the Toadflaxes form a shape that have what some say resembles the appearance of the head of a toad. The hairy fringe atop the bottom petals may be white rather than orange as shown here.
Linaria dalmatica
Site: Kleinschmidt Grade, Adams County, ID Date: 2012-May-26Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000
As with all Linaria species, the corolla tube has an elongated spur. Linaria dalmatica has a yellow blossom.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Linaria dalmatica
Site: Kleinschmidt Grade, Adams County, ID Date: 2012-May-26Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000
The leaves of these plants are similar to those of flax, although at least in the case of Linaria dalmatica they are broader than those of most flax I’ve seen. In Linaria dalmatica they clasp the stem, a difference from Linaria vulgaris.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Linaria dalmatica
References used for identification and information:

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All content except USDA Plants Database map Copyright Gerald C. Williamson 2013
Photographs Copyrighted by the named photographer