Yellow toadflax

Above: Yellow toadflax also known as Butter-and-eggs in the Prairie Moraine Dog Park in Verona, Wisconsin on July 29, 2023.

Yellow toadflax (Butter and Eggs) - Linaria vulgaris (Potentially Invasive)

Yellow toadflax is an escaped ornamental brought to this country in the mid-1800’s that has naturalized and is potentially invasive. According to the UW-Madison Wisconsin State Herbarium, it can be found in every county in Wisconsin.

Yellow toadflax grows from 1' to 3' and likes disturbed sites with sandy soil like roadsides. Yellow toadflax tends to grow in clumps.

The cream to yellow (to yellow/orange) flowers of yellow toadflax are 5-parted and about 3/4' - 1" long. The upper lip of each flower is divided into 2 lobes, the lower lip has 3 lobes and there is a long straight spur that hangs down at the base and holds nectar.

NOTE: This plant is hazardous according to the UW-Madison Wisconsin State Herbarium.

Blooms: May - September (most common in Midsummer).


Above: The toothless leaves are narrow and are about 2 1/2" long.

Other names: Common Toadflax, Butter-and-eggs, Yellow Toadflax, Wild Snapdragon.

For more information on Yellow toadflax Linaria vulgaris), visit Wikipedia.

Or, visit the UW-Madison Wisconsin State Herbarium website page about Yellow toadflax - Linaria vulgaris.

Or, visit the UW-Madison Wisconsin Horticulture Division of Extension website page on Yellow toadflax.

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