Hardy perennial with snapdragon-like flowers in yellow with orange centres, and flax-type leaves Also called Lion's Mouth, Puppy Dog's Mouth and Butter and Eggs. Member of the Figwort family, growing 1 - 2.5 ft (30 - 76 cm). Common in woodlands and by roadsides. Bumble bees are quite partial to it! It is also the food plant of the Toadflax Pug moth and the Marbled Clover moth. Linaria comes from "linum", meaning flax, a name given to the plant by Linnaeus because it looks like a Flax plant before flowering.The mouth of the flower is completely closed and doesn't open until a bee forces it to. The only bees to visit are large bees which are able to open the flowers and whose tongues are long enough to reach the nectar. The orange palate of the flower is a honey guide. Food plant of caterpillars of the Spotted Fritillary butterfly.
Boiled with lard, this plant was once used as an ointment to treat ulcers, sores, piles and inflamed eyes. Juices of the plant have been known to "cure" some types of skin cancer. It was also believed that Toadflax made a good fly poison if boiled with milk. The fresh plant can be made into a poultice and applied to piles, as can an ointment of the flowers.
The herbalist, Gerard, claimed it helped jaundice. Culpepper called it Gallwort and says that he used to place it in his chicken's water as a sort of "pick-me-up"! Apparently toads like to sit in the shade of Toadflax. The flowers were thought to resemble little toads!
Plant out in light, well-drained soil, dry or sandy ground. Flowers June to October and thrives in full sun. Will tolerate shade but will not be as strong a plant. Spreads.
*This sheet is provided for information only and is in no way a prescription for use. Please seek the advice of a qualified herbalist before using*
Back to Home Page