Corn toadflax (Linaria arvensis, Fl. Atlant. 2: 45 (1798))

Family: Plantaginaceae

Author: (L.) Desf.

Bibliography: Fl. Atlant. 2: 45 (1798)

Year: 1798

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Linaria

Vegetable: False

Observations: Canary Is., Europe to N. Africa

Description

Corn toadflax is an intriguing plant species known by its scientific name Linaria arvensis. First documented in Flora Atlantica post-1798, this plant has been described and classified by the botanist Desfontaines. Its origins spread across a wide geographical range, including the Canary Islands, Europe, and extending to North Africa.

Belonging to the Plantaginaceae family, Linaria arvensis showcases the resilience and adaptability typical of its botanical relatives. Corn toadflax thrives in various environments, often found in fields and disturbed soils where it can compete and proliferate effectively.

The plant itself is notable for its distinct floral characteristics and growth habits. Its petite, tubular flowers, typically lavished in shades of blue, make it easily identifiable among other wildflowers. These blossoms attract a variety of pollinators, contributing to the plant’s ecological role and its propagation success.

In the broader context of botany and horticulture, Linaria arvensis is appreciated not just for its beauty but also for its contribution to biodiversity. Its adaptability has made it a subject of study concerning plant distribution and survival mechanisms across different climates and terrains.

Overall, Corn toadflax, or Linaria arvensis, stands out as a resilient and versatile member of the Plantaginaceae family, representing a fascinating aspect of the natural flora spanning from the Canary Islands to the diverse locales of Europe and North Africa.

Common Names

Deu: acker-leinkraut, ackerleinkraut
Spa: linaria de campo
Nld: blauwe leeuwenbek
Eng: corn toadflax, field toadflax
Fra: linaire des champs
Ces: lnice rolní
Swe: åkersporre
En: Corn toadflax, Field toadflax
Ca: Linària arvense
Cs: Lnice rolní
Nl: Blauwe leeuwenbek, Blauwe Leeuwebek
Fi: Kenttäkannusruoho
Fr: Linaire des champs
De: Acker-Leinkraut, Ackerleinkraut
It: Linajola campestre
Es: Linaria de campo
Sv: Åkersporre

Synonyms

• Antirrhinum arvense var. luteum (Gray)
• Linaria arvensis var. maxima (Schur)
• Linaria arvensis var. glanduloso-viscosissima (Schur)
• Linaria arvensis subsp. euarvensis (P.Fourn.)
• Linaria arvensis var. typica (Bég.)
• Linaria atlantis-rifea (Sennen & Mauricio)
• Linaria carnosa (Moench)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Italy (native)
• Libya (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Poland (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken May 2, 2020 by Alix Raffaillac (cc-by-sa)

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

Taken Mar 18, 2022 by Léo TETREL (cc-by-sa)

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

Taken May 2, 2020 by Alix Raffaillac (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Mar 25, 2022 by laurent boniface (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 16, 2021 by Guaita Raquel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 21, 2020 by Kefin (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2020 by Alix Raffaillac (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 15, 2018 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Mar 2, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jun 2, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 23, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Marcel ETIENNE (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Marcel ETIENNE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 27, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Marcel ETIENNE (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Mar 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

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

Taken Apr 2, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 2, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 2, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

© 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.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5562956)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:804458-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Linaria arvensis (L.) Desf.)

Specifications

Growth

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