Dalmatian Toadflax

B Stewart L Scott L Scott CRD

Plant Bio

Common Name:Dalmatian toadflax
Family:Linaria
Genus:genistifolia
Species:dalmatica
Classification/Rank:Very Invasive
Method of Transportation:A mature plant can produce up to 500 000 seeds. Seeds are spread by wind and animals. Elk, deer and birds eat seeds and seed heads. Plant is also spread through human activities.
Habitat/Range:Grows in the Interior of BC at low- to mid- elevations along roads, ditches, farm fields, grasslands, disturbed sites, transitional forest-grasslands and as an ornamental in gardens.

Description

Dalmatian toadflax is an appealing plant with snap-dragon type flowers that are a vibrant yellow. However, don't let this pretty plant fool you, it is far more aggressive than the snapdragon flowers intended for flower beds! Dalmatian toadflax has clusters of heart-shaped leaves around each stem, and can grow up to 1.2 m tall. It has fast growing horizontal roots and one plant has have any many as 25 flowering stems which makes it difficult to remove. It reproduces by seed - one plant can produce 500 000 seeds that are viable for up to 10 years - and vegetatively from roots.

This plant is toxic to animals, but it is unpalatable and generally not grazed. Dalmatian toadflax forms dense stands that can reduce forage for animals by forcing out grasses and native species.

For more information on Dalmatian toadflax visit the Weeds BC Dalmatian toadflax webpage. If you spot this plant or would like more information call the Weeds Hotline at 1-866-44WEEDS. To report a plant or infestation the Report-A-Weed application is now available for Smartphones.

News

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