Yellow Toadflax Linaria vulgaris

Yellow Toadflax is a perennial plant in the plantain family that is native to Eurasia. It has naturalized in North America and become invasive in several western states. It can be found in the Piedmont and mountain areas of NC. It spreads by creeping rhizomes and seeds and roots can extend out 10 feet giving rise to daughter plants along the way. Mid-summer to mid-fall the yellow and orange snapdragon-like blooms appear in dense clusters. The leaves are thread-like and blue or gray-green. The bees are attracted to the flowers.

This plant tends to show up in disturbed areas as along roads, railways or after fires as well as in fields, pastures or forest edges. It is difficult to eradicate and is not recommended for home landscapes.