General: Tall showing plant with snapdragon shaped flowers and waxy leaves.
Height: Grows between 0.6-1.2m tall.
Flowers: Flowers are bright yellow and look like snapdragons. They grow at the top of the stem attached by short stems. There are 1-25 flowers around the stem at the top.
Leaves/Stems: Leaves are waxy, pale green and arranged alternately on the stem. They clasp the stem in most cases.
Root: Taproot, creeping horizontal roots with buds. Taproot can reach 1m in depth.
Broad-leaved toadflax, Wild Snapdragon
Yellow/Common Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris)
Differences: Yellow/common toadflax generally has longer leaves that are thinner and lance-shaped. They resemble a bottle brush.
Where did it come from? Europe. Introduced as a garden ornamental.
Where does it grow here? It is adapted to a wide variety of conditions. It can be found on disturbed roadsides, fields, gardens, cultivated land, grasslands and grassland-forest transition areas. It is a very common invasive found throughout our region.
Reproduction: By seeds, root and root buds. A single plant can produce up to 500,000 seeds each year. Seeds can remain viable in the soil for up to 10 years
When does it grow, flower & seed? Sprouts April-May. Flowers June-August. Seeds September-August.
Spreads By: Wind and animals. Wildlife and birds eat the seed and seed hears. This includes deer & elk.
Plant Type: Perennial
- Invades agricultural lands where low-tillage practices are carried out.
- Contains substances that make it toxic to livestock. It is unpalatable to livestock so poisoning is rare.
- Displaces native vegetation because its creeping root system form dense infestations.
- Reduces forage value for wildlife & livestock.
- Review your property regularly for this species. Do not plant in your garden.
- Treatment ADD Remove small patches before it flowers & sets seed. Handpulling small infestations of young plants can be effective. Five biocontrol agents (beetles, weevils & moths) occur in BC. Weevils have been released in our region and have been successful at reducing the density of populations.
- Cover bare patches or disturbed soil by planting or seeding with non-invasives.
- Check areas where you have removed invasives for any new plants that year and in future growing seasons. Review of an area will be long-term because of the length of time seeds can stay viable in the soil (up to 10 years).
- Dispose of invasive plants responsibly. Bag them for disposal at the local landfill. Composting and burning are not recommended.
- Contact LRISS for specific treatment recommendations.
Southern Interior Weed Management Committee. 2016. Invasive Plants of the Southern Interior BC. 86pgs.
Okanagan Invasive Species Online website.
