Purple toadflax (Linaria purpurea, Gard. Dict. ed. 8: n.º 5 (1768))

Family: Plantaginaceae

Author: (L.) Mill.

Bibliography: Gard. Dict. ed. 8: n.º 5 (1768)

Year: 1768

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Linaria

Vegetable: False

Observations: C. & S. Italy to Sicilia

Description

Purple Toadflax, scientifically named Linaria purpurea, is a perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the Plantaginaceae family. Originally hailing from central and southern Italy, extending to the island of Sicily, this plant brings a touch of Mediterranean charm to gardens with its slender, towering spikes of vibrant flowers.

First described in the 8th edition of the Gardeners Dictionary, published in 1768 by Miller, Purple Toadflax has become widely appreciated for its ornamental value. Its tall, wiry stems can reach heights of up to 1 meter, swaying gracefully in the breeze and providing a delicate yet bold splash of color to any planting scheme.

The blossoms of Linaria purpurea are particularly striking, assembled in dense clusters along the upper parts of the stems. Each individual flower showcases a rich, purple hue that attracts pollinators, making it an excellent choice for those looking to support local biodiversity. The narrow, lance-shaped leaves are a muted grey-green, creating a beautiful contrast with the vivid blooms.

Purple Toadflax is a versatile plant that thrives in a variety of garden settings. It prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade, and it is adaptable to different soil types as long as they are well-draining. Its hardy nature makes it a low-maintenance addition, suitable for both traditional borders and more naturalistic landscapes. Additionally, its upright form makes it an excellent choice for cutting gardens, where its long-lasting flowers can be enjoyed indoors as well.

In summary, Linaria purpurea or Purple Toadflax is a resilient and visually appealing plant that offers both ecological benefits and aesthetic pleasure. Its long history in horticulture, along with its ease of care and vibrant flowers, ensures that it remains a cherished choice for gardeners looking to add a touch of Italian elegance to their outdoor spaces.

Common Names

Fra: linaire, linaire pourprée
Eng: purple toadflax
Deu: purpur-leinkraut
Dan: purpur-torskemund
Hun: pirosló gyújtoványfű
Swe: purpursporre
Nld: walstroleeuwenbek
Cym: gingroen cochlas, gingroen glasgoch, llin-y-llyffant porffor
En: Purple toadflax
Da: Purpur-torskemund
Nl: Walstroleeuwenbek
Fr: Linaire, Linaire pourprée, Linaire pourpre
De: Purpur-Leinkraut
Hu: Pirosló gyújtoványfű
Sv: Purpursporre
Cy: Gingroen Cochlas, Gingroen Glasgoch, Llin-y-Llyffant Porffor

Synonyms

• Termontis purpurea ((L.) Raf.)
• Linaria purpurascens (Bernh. ex Hornem.)

Distribution

• Italy (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Nov 8, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 17, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 2022 by Marwan Ghajar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 26, 2021 by Philipp Jansen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 22, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Dec 23, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 16, 2021 by junwen zheng (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 22, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 25, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 25, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Dec 25, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2020 by Dennis C (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 25, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Paul Hubert BOURSEAU (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Paul Hubert BOURSEAU (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 18, 2022 by John Davies (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2022 by John Davies (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 16, 2021 by Jörg D (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 5, 2022 by Caw Vus (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 11, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 23, 2019 by Werner Rom (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 6, 2022 by Joris Moorkamp (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2021 by Dr. Abdallah Khatib (cc-by-sa)

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

Taken Jun 8, 2019 by Sara Sara (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/5415012)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1016392-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Linaria purpurea (L.) Mill.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Soil nutriments: 6