Purple Toadflax is a
non-native
perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in waste ground and roadsides, to a mature height of up to 70cm.
Purple Toadflax, a native of Italy, was introduced into the UK by the mid-seventeenth century. The plant has long spikes of intense-purple coloured snapdragon-like flowers. The name 'Toadflax' comes from the toad-like mouth formed from the two-lipped structure of its flowers and the plant's narrow, pointed, flax-like leaves.
Botanic classification and naming: Purple Toadflax is a member of the Plantain (Plantaginaceae) family. The genus name
'Linaria' identifies the plant as a Toadflax and its species name 'purpurea' means 'purple'.
Benefits: The flowers attract Honey bees and the leaves provide food for caterpillars of the Toadflax Brocade moth.
Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.
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