How to identify Butter-and-eggs (Linaria vulgaris)

How to identify Butter-and-eggs (Linaria vulgaris)

Butter-and-eggs, also known as Yellow toadflax, Flaxweed

Butter-and-eggs is a perennial plant with distinctive yellow and orange flowers resembling snapdragons that bloom from mid-summer to mid-fall. These dense floral clusters are supported by a network of creeping rhizomes, with roots that can reach out to about 10 feet (3 meters), producing offshoots. The thin, thread-like leaves display a blue or gray-green hue. The striking blooms are particularly attractive to bees, aiding in the plant’s prolific spread.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Butter-and-eggs

Distinctive yellow and orange snapdragon-like flowers bloom mid-summer to mid-fall.

Creeping rhizomes with roots extending up to 10 feet (3 meters) produce offshoots.

Thin, thread-like leaves with blue or gray-green hue.

Bright yellow, 1-inch (2.5 cm) flowers with orange throats in crowded raceme.

Fruit is a brown, globe-shaped capsule, 0.3 to 0.4 inches (7 to 10 mm) in diameter.

Detailed Traits of Butter-and-eggs

Leaf Features

Butter-and-eggs leaves are slender and gray-green, measuring 1 to 2.5 inches (2.5 to 6.4 cm) in length. Each leaf is pointed at both ends. The texture is smooth, and the upper leaves are arranged alternately, while the lower leaves appear in whorls. This particular leaf arrangement and structure are key to identifying butter-and-eggs. The color, size, and shape of the leaves provide a distinctive visual marker for this plant.

Leaf Arrangement

Alternate

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Flower Features

The flowers of butter-and-eggs are bright yellow and about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in size, each adorned with an orange throat. They are arranged in a long, crowded raceme. The flowers have thin drooping spurs at their base and emit a slight medicinal odor. The upper lip of the flower is two-lobed, characteristic of the species. These prominent features are key for identifying butter-and-eggs in its blooming period.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of butter-and-eggs presents as a distinctive, brown, globe-shaped capsule. The capsule's size is approximately 0.3 to 0.4 inches (7 to 10 mm) in diameter, indicating a small, but noticeable feature within the plant's overall structure. Its textured surface holds numerous small seeds, which are released when the capsule splits open at maturity. The uniqueness of the globe-shaped structure, coupled with its brown hue, aids in distinguishing this capsule among various seed-bearing structures in the botanical domain.

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Butter-and-eggs and Their Similar Plants

Moroccan toadflax vs. Butter-and-eggs: What's The Difference?

Moroccan toadflax (Linaria maroccana) is a plant species native to Morocco. Moroccan toadflax is also known as fairy bouquet. This species is related to the plantain and has been introduced in western North America. This species is often grown for ornamental purposes in gardens in a variety of different colors.

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Key Facts About Butter-and-eggs

Attributes of Butter-and-eggs

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Herb

Plant Height

30 cm to 80 cm

Flower Color

Yellow

White

Orange

Fruit Color

Brown

Copper

Stem Color

Green

Yellow

Leaf type

Deciduous

The Toxicity of Butter-and-eggs

Moderate Toxic to Humans

Toxic to Cats

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Scientific Classification of Butter-and-eggs

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Mints plantains olives and allies

Family

Plantain

Genus

wild snapdragon

Species

Butter-and-eggs (Linaria vulgaris)

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Distribution Map of Butter-and-eggs

Butter-and-eggs is primarily native to regions of Europe and Asia and has been cultivated in various locations. This species has a widespread presence, introduced to continents including South America, Africa, and Oceania. In some major regions, such as North America, butter-and-eggs is sometimes thought to be invasive and may have an impact on local ecosystems. Its cultivation and introduced status indicate an adaptable plant that is able to thrive in diverse environments.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

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A Comprehensive Guide to Butter-and-eggs How to Grow and Care for Butter-and-eggs