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Common Toadflax

©Amy Lewis

Common toadflax

Scientific name: Linaria vulgaris
Look for common toadflax on waste ground and grassland, and along roadside verges and hedgerows. Its yellow-and-orange flowers are tightly packed on a tall spike and have distinctive 'spurs'.

Species information

Statistics

Height: up to 75cm

Conservation status

Common.

When to see

June to November

About

Common toadflax is a common plant of waste ground, grassland, roadside verges and hedgerows. Its yellow-and-orange flowers appear in June and persist well into November; they look like the flowers of snapdragons (familiar garden plants), and are often densely packed. These flowers give the plant its other common name of 'butter and eggs'.

How to identify

The upright stems of common toadflax have narrow leaves. Its flowers are creamy-yellow, with orange centres and long 'spurs', and form dense clusters at the top of the stems.

Distribution

Widespread.

Habitats

Did you know?

Common toadflax provides a food source for Buff-tailed and White-tailed bumblebees, Common carder bees, Honeybees and a variety of fly species.

How people can help

Although they might not look especially wildlife-friendly, our roadside verges, railway cuttings and waste grounds can provide valuable habitats for all kinds of plants and animals. The Wildlife Trusts are involved in many projects to make these places as beneficial for wildlife as possible. We have a vision of a Living Landscape: a network of habitats stretching across town and country that allow wildlife to move about freely and people to enjoy the benefits of nature. Support this greener vision for the future by joining your local Wildlife Trust.