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| Closeup of Dalmation Toadflax. Photo by David Kenison, 5/21/14, Rock Canyon, Provo. Click to enlarge. |
The Dalmation Toadflax (Linaria dalmatica), also known as the Balkan toadflax, broadleaf toadflax, or wild snapdragon, originated in the Mediterranean area and was brought to America as an ornamental plant in the late 1800s. It has spread throughout the US and Canada except for the deep South and the northern provinces, growing predominantly at elevations from 5000-6500'.
Dalmation Toadflax resembles a tall stalk of snapdragons. The bright yellow flowers, clustered on free-standing stalks, stand out in grassy fields. The main part of the individual flower is usually less than an inch high, but the distinctive spike or spur extending downward is often longer than the blossom itself. The stalks often grow 3-4' high and are perennial. The intricate bloom requires close inspection to appreciate.
The Toadflax is officially considered a "noxious weed" in the state of Utah and many other states, because it reproduces quickly both by seed and by root buds. It can overrun native plants, reducing forage and wildlife habitat. The Dalmation Toadflax described here is considered a Class B weed, having "a moderate population throughout the State and generally are thought to be controllable in most areas." Its cousin the Yellow Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris) is in the less serious Class A, having "a relatively low population size within the State and are of highest priority being an Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) weed." Class C weeds, the worst category, "are found extensively in the State and are thought to be beyond control."
The pictures below show the stalks and leaves, and the beautiful flowers of this plant. Photos taken by the author at the Rock Canyon trailhead, 5/21/14. Click to view more detail.
Additional information:
Utah Noxious Weeds Listing
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