How to identify Garden snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus)
Garden snapdragon, also known as Common snapdragon, Dragon plant
Garden snapdragon boasts conspicuous flowers with a unique, zygomorphic structure, resembling a dragon's snout. The two-lipped corollas are large and striking, oriented with a strong invagination on the lower surface that contributes to their distinctive morphology. Leaves are densely arranged, narrow, and elongated, offering a lush backdrop to the vibrant bloom display. The lush floral arrangement and leaf structure make garden snapdragon a vivid addition to any garden setting.
Lifespan: Perennial, Annual, Biennial
Plant Type: Herb
Leaf Type: Deciduous
Zygomorphic flowers resembling dragon heads with two-lipped corollas
Long, lance-shaped leaves with glossy dark green color
Distinctive capsule fruit with short beak, enclosed by calyx lobes
Opposite to alternate leaf arrangement, glabrous and smooth
Blooms measure 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) in length, emit mild fragrance
The leaves of garden snapdragon are long, glossy, and dark green, typically lance-shaped. They range from opposite to alternate arrangement above, with shapes varying from linear to lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate. The leaves are glabrous, meaning they are smooth and lack hair. Their length can be approximately 3 inches (7.6 cm), showcasing a sleek appearance ideal for identification.
The flowers of garden snapdragon are strikingly beautiful, appearing in a variety of colors due to different anthocyanin and carotenoid pigments. They feature two-lipped, dragon-head shapes on terminal racemes. The corolla is zygomorphic, with a throat closed off by the lower lip, creating a unique 'snap' effect. Each flower has a 5-lobed calyx that persists in fruit. Blooms measure approximately 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) in length, often emitting a mildly sweet fragrance, and typically flourish from late spring to early fall.
The fruit of garden snapdragon is a distinctive capsule, usually well-enclosed by the lobes of the calyx, giving it a somewhat concealed appearance. It matures to develop a subtle short beak at its apex. This dry fruit contains numerous small seeds and splits open (dehisces) when ripe to release them. The texture is typically smooth, and the color shifts to a brownish hue as it dries. Measuring roughly up to 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) in length, this capsule is a classic characteristic of the mature phase of garden snapdragon.
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Scientific Classification of Garden snapdragon
