Corn snapdragon (Misopates orontium, Autik. Bot.: 158 (1840))

Family: Plantaginaceae

Author: (L.) Raf.

Bibliography: Autik. Bot.: 158 (1840)

Year: 1840

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Misopates

Vegetable: False

Observations: Macaronesia, Medit. to NE. Sudan

Description

Corn snapdragon, scientifically termed Misopates orontium, is a fascinating annual herb belonging to the Plantaginaceae family. This delicate wildflower, characterized by its slender, erect stems and distinctive snapdragon-like blossoms, is widely appreciated for its subtle beauty and ecological significance.

Historically, Misopates orontium has been documented in botanical literature as early as 1840, indicating its long-standing recognition and study among botanists. It was formally described by renowned botanist Constantine Samuel Rafinesque, who played a pivotal role in the classification and understanding of various plant species.

Geographically, Corn snapdragon boasts a broad and diverse habitat range. Predominantly found across the Mediterranean Basin, it extends its reach into Macaronesia, a group of archipelagos in the North Atlantic Ocean, and ventures further into the northeastern regions of Sudan. This distribution underscores the species’ adaptability to different climatic and environmental conditions.

The plant typically flourishes in open, sunny locations such as arable lands, road verges, and wastelands where it contributes to the biodiversity and resilience of these ecosystems. Its flowers, often pale pink to purple with intricate vein patterns, attract a variety of pollinators, playing a crucial role in local pollination networks.

As a member of the Plantaginaceae family, Corn snapdragon shares several common traits with its relatives, including a similar floral structure that facilitates its reproductive success. Despite its weed-like appearance in agricultural settings, it holds ecological value and continues to be a subject of interest for botanical research and conservation efforts.

Common Names

Deu: acker-löwenmaul, feldlöwenmaul, gewöhnliches ackerlöwenmaul, katzenmaul
Dan: agerløvemund
Lit: dirvinis kregžlys
Eng: linearleaf snapdragon, weasel’s-snout, corn snapdragon, lesser snapdragon, lesser-snapdragon, small snapdragon, linear-leaved snapdragon, weasel’s snout
Nld: akkerleeuwenbek
Por: boca-de-leão-selvagem
Lav: kalnu lauvmutīte
Swe: kalvnos, skalleblomma
Fra: muflier des champs, muflier rubicond, tête-de-mort
Ces: papulienka poľná, šklebivec přímý
Cym: y trwyn-y-llo lleiaf
En: Corn snapdragon, Lesser-snapdragon, Small snapdragon, Weasel’s-snout, Linearleaf snapdragon, Lesser snapdragon, Linear-leaved snapdragon, Weasel’s snout, Calf’s Snout
Ca: Cap de mort
Cs: Papulienka poľná, Šklebivec přímý
Da: Agerløvemund
Nl: Akkerleeuwenbek, Akkerleeuwebek
Fr: Muflier des champs, Muflier rubicond, Tête-de-mort
De: Acker-Löwenmaul, Feldlöwenmaul, Gewöhnliches Ackerlöwenmaul, Katzenmaul, Ackerlöwenmaul
It: Gallinetta comune
Lv: Kalnu lauvmutīte
Lt: Dirvinis kregžlys
Pt: Boca-de-leão-selvagem
Sk: Papulienka poľná
Es: Boca de dragón
Sv: Kalvnos, Skalleblomma
Cy: Y Trwyn-y-Llo Lleiaf

Synonyms

• Agorrhinum orontium ((L.) Fourr.)
• Antirrhinum orontium (L.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Cape Verde (native)
• Chad (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Djibouti (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• Eritrea (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• India (native)
• Iran (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kenya (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Oman (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Selvagens (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• Socotra (native)
• Somalia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Uganda (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yemen (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alaska (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• Brazil Southeast (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• Burundi (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Jamaica (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Malawi (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• Norfolk Is. (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rwanda (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)
• Zaïre (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 May 15, 2020 by lopezlacasa (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2011 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2011 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 9, 2021 by Ernst Fürst (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 31, 2022 by sga m (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 10, 2021 by Empar Espinosa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 13, 2017 by Maurice Maeck (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 9, 2022 by kirsch hourcade (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2011 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 2, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 22, 2021 by Philippe Levarlet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 27, 2021 by Stéphane Mars (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2011 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 21, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Hervé Goëau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 21, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Hervé Goëau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Apr 26, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 18, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Françoise MADIC (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 9, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2011 by Tela Botanica − John DE VOS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2021 by Cartagena David (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 29, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Guillaume Sinquin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Guillaume Sinquin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie-France PETIBON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2011 by Tela Botanica − John DE VOS (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3171145)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:806149-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Misopates orontium (L.) Raf.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 5.5

Ph minimum: 5.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]

Soil nutriments: 5