Purple Toadflax

(Linaria purpurea)

Purple Toadflax (Linaria purpurea)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Linaria purpurea, commonly known as Purple Toadflax, is a semi-deciduous perennial herb originally from the Mediterranean region, including Sicily and mainland Italy. It typically grows 30 to 70 centimeters tall with linear leaves 2 to 5 centimeters in length. The inflorescence is a raceme of snapdragon-like flowers at the stem’s top, each flower measuring between 1 and 2 centimeters long with five lobes forming two lips and a spur at the end. The blooms are usually light to medium purple, appearing from late spring to early fall and are highly attractive to pollinators. The fruit is a capsule containing numerous seeds. Purple Toadflax is often found in open, sunny habitats such as grasslands, roadsides, and disturbed areas.

Purple Toadflax is valued for its attractive, long-lasting flowers and its ability to attract bees. It is used in garden borders, rock gardens, and as a naturalizing plant in informal areas. It is drought-tolerant once established, making it suitable for xeriscaping. ’Canon Went’ is a popular pale pink cultivar. This plant thrives in full sun and can tolerate a range of soil conditions, preferring medium drainage. While it can be somewhat invasive, spreading by seed, it is also easily controlled by deadheading or removing self-sown seedlings.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Herb
  • Height: 1.5-3 feet
  • Width: 0.5-1 feet
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Flower Color: Purple
  • Flowering Season: Summer
  • Leaf Retention: Semi-Deciduous

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun
  • Water: Low, Medium
  • Drainage: Medium

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rock Garden, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers

Natural Habitat

Originally from the Mediterranean region, including Sicily and mainland Italy, and found in open, sunny habitats such as grasslands, roadsides, and disturbed areas

Other Names

Common Names: Linaire Pourprée, Purpursporre, Purpur-Leinkraut

Scientific Names: , Linaria purpurea, Antirrhinum purpureum, Linaria purpurascens, Linaria purpurea f. litoralis, Linaria purpurea var. montana, Linaria purpurea var. gracilior, Linaria purpurea var. littoralis, Linaria purpurea var. robustior, Termontis purpureus,

GBIF Accepted Name: Linaria purpurea (L.) Mill.