Bastard toadflax (Thesium humifusum, Fl. Franç., ed. 3, 5: 366, 1815)

Family: Santalaceae

Author: DC.

Bibliography: Fl. Franç., ed. 3, 5: 366, 1815

Year: 1815

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Thesium

Vegetable: False

Observations: W. Europe

Description

Bastard toadflax, known scientifically as Thesium humifusum, is a fascinating plant that belongs to the Santalaceae family. First described in 1815 by the botanist DC., this plant is distinguished by its unique botanical characteristics and its prevalence across Western Europe.

Thesium humifusum typically grows in habitats that range from meadows to light woodlands, taking advantage of the open, sunny conditions these environments provide. It is a hemiparasitic plant, meaning it partially relies on other plants for its nutritional needs, tapping into the roots of host plants to extract water and nutrients. This modest dependency doesn’t typically harm the host significantly but does underscore the complex interplay within native plant communities.

The plant itself is characterized by slender, wiry stems that can grow close to the ground, giving it a humifusum— or sprawling— appearance. The leaves are narrow, almost grass-like, and alternate along the stems. One of the defining features of Thesium humifusum is its small, unassuming flowers. These flowers, usually white or greenish, emerge during the blooming season and are noted for their modest size, often requiring a keen eye to spot among the foliage.

Due to its adaptability, Thesium humifusum has carved a niche for itself in various environments across Western Europe. Researchers and botanists appreciate the plant not only for its ecological role but also for the variety it adds to the flora of the region. Its somewhat cryptic nature makes it an interesting subject of study, revealing much about the intricate balance of parasitic and symbiotic relationships in the plant kingdom.

In summary, Bastard toadflax is a subtle yet scientifically significant member of Western Europe’s botanical landscape. Its study and understanding offer insights into the broader ecological frameworks and biodiversity of the regions it inhabits.

Common Names

Deu: niederliegender bergflachs, niederliegendes leinblatt
Eng: bastard toadflax, bastard-toadflax
Nld: liggend bergvlas
Fra: thésion couché
Cym: geulin y forwyn
En: Bastard toadflax, Bastard-toadflax
Nl: Duinbergvlas, Liggend bergvlas
Fr: Thésion couché, Thésium couché
De: Niedergestrecktes Leinblatt, Niederliegender Bergflachs, Niederliegendes Leinblatt
It: Linaiola divaricata
Cy: Geulin y Forwyn

Synonyms

• Thesium divaricatum var. humifusum ((DC.) A.DC.)
• Thesium divaricatum var. gallicum (A.DC.)
• Thesium souardii (Schultz ex Steud.)
• Thesium ramosum var. divaricatum ((Jan ex Mert. & W.D.J. Koch) Samp.)
• Thesium linophyllon var. humifusum ((DC.) Duby)
• Thesium hussenotii (Hussenot)
• Thesium vulgare (Hill)
• Thesium ramosum var. ulmeticum (Pau)
• Thesium gallicum (Schultz ex Steud.)
• Thesium ramosum var. longebracteatum (Willk. ex Cout.)
• Thesium linophyllum var. humifusum ((DC.) Duby)
• Thesium eifaliense (Steud.)
• Thesium strictum (Dumort.)
• Linosyris humifusa (Kuntze)
• Linophyllum humifusum (Bubani)

Distribution

• Belgium (native)
• France (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Spain (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jun 19, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 19, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 9, 2021 by Albert Mallol Camprubí (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2007 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Apr 22, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 28, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2022 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 26, 2020 by Benito Soto Fernando (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 29, 2021 by Cyllène Chatellier (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 19, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 22, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 28, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2004 by Tela Botanica − Augustin ROCHE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2007 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Oct 20, 2022 by Didier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 26, 2018 by Jordan Galli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 26, 2018 by Jordan Galli (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 31, 1853 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2008 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Jun 30, 2004 by Tela Botanica − Augustin ROCHE (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Sep 26, 2018 by Jordan Galli (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5579047)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:780893-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Thesium humifusum DC.)

Specifications

Growth