Balkan toadflax (Linaria dalmatica, Gard. Dict. ed. 8: n.º 13 (1768))

Family: Plantaginaceae

Author: (L.) Mill.

Bibliography: Gard. Dict. ed. 8: n.º 13 (1768)

Year: 1768

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Linaria

Vegetable: False

Observations: SE. Europe

Description

Balkan toadflax, known scientifically as Linaria dalmatica, is a captivating plant species that hails from southeastern Europe. First cataloged in the Garden Dictionary’s 8th edition in 1768 by the botanist Mill., this plant is a particularly noteworthy member of the Plantaginaceae family.

This resilient and robust perennial herb is renowned for its vibrant and striking flowers, often appearing in shades of yellow with hints of white. These blossoms provide a remarkable contrast against the plant’s gray-green, lance-shaped leaves, creating a visually appealing display during its blooming season, which typically spans from late spring to early summer.

The natural habitat of the Balkan toadflax extends across diverse landscapes in southeastern Europe, where it thrives in well-drained, sandy, and rocky soils. Its capacity to grow in marginal environments highlights its adaptability and tenacity, making it a valuable species for studying ecological resilience and adaptation.

Gardeners and botanists alike appreciate the Balkan toadflax not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its historical significance and the insights it provides into plant evolution within the Plantaginaceae family. Today, Linaria dalmatica stands as a testament to the rich botanical heritage of southeast Europe, continuing to intrigue those who study and cultivate it.

Common Names

Eng: balkan toadflax, broadleaf toadflax, dalmatian toadflax
Deu: dalmatiner leinkraut, dalmatinisches leinkraut
Swe: jättesporre
Nld: dalmatiëbekje
Fra: linaire à feuilles larges, linaire de dalmatie
Nno: stortorskemunn
Nob: stortorskemunn
Cym: llin-y-llyffant balcanaidd
En: Balkan toadflax, Dalmatian toadflax, Broadleaf toadflax
Nl: Dalmatiëbekje
Fr: Linaire à feuilles larges, Linaire de Dalmatie
De: Dalmatiner Leinkraut, Dalmatinisches Leinkraut
Nb: Stortorskemunn
Nn: Stortorskemunn
Pt-br: Linaria-dalmática
Sv: Jättesporre
Cy: Llin-y-Llyffant Balcanaidd

Synonyms

• Linaria dalmatica var. tessala ((Formánek) Delip. & M.Popova)
• Linaria dalmatica var. macedonica ((Griseb.) Vandas)
• Linaria dalmatica subsp. macedonica ((Griseb.) D.A.Sutton)
• Linaria smithii (Boiss. & Orph.)
• Linaria macedonica (Griseb.)
• Linaria pancicii (Janka ex Nyman)
• Linaria zangezura (Grossh.)
• Linaria genistifolia subsp. dalmatica ((L.) Maire & Petitm.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Greece (native)
• Italy (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Romania (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alberta (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Free State (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Manitoba (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• Nevada (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• North Dakota (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Saskatchewan (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• South Dakota (introduced)
• Turkey (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Wyoming (introduced)
• Yukon (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Aug 28, 2022 by Alex Ottovan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 18, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 13, 2022 by Megan Tilitzky (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2020 by Potje Elias (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2018 by Borghi Tiziano (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Oct 19, 2021 by Michael Finch (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 18, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 19, 2021 by Michael Finch (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 19, 2021 by Michael Finch (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2021 by Bobby Whitmire (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 31, 2022 by Olga Olga (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2022 by Olga Olga (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 27, 2020 by nasrin norozi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 18, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2014 by EOL − whitcoombs (cc-by-nc)

Other

Taken Jun 27, 2020 by nasrin norozi (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5415011)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1052356-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Linaria dalmatica (L.) Mill.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth