Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus, Sp. Pl.: 617 (1753))

Family: Plantaginaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 617 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Antirrhinum

Vegetable: False

Observations: SC. France to Iberian Pen., Baleares

Description

Snapdragon, botanically known as Antirrhinum majus, is a beloved flowering plant cherished both for its vibrant blooms and whimsical appearance. The name “snapdragon” is derived from the unique shape of its flowers, which resemble a dragon’s mouth. When the sides of the flower are gently squeezed, it opens and closes like a dragon’s jaw, captivating both children and adults with its playful mechanism.

Originally described in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, Antirrhinum majus hails from the southern regions of France extending to the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands. This geographic distribution allows it to thrive in Mediterranean climates, where it can often be found in gardens and wild meadows. Researchers and botanists can find its initial detailed description in Linnaeus’s seminal work “Species Plantarum” on page 617.

Belonging to the Plantaginaceae family, snapdragons share a familial connection with a diverse range of plant species. However, they are particularly celebrated for their unique floral structure and impressive versatility in ornamental horticulture. Snapdragons bloom in a wide spectrum of colors, from pure white to deep burgundy, with many striking bicolors and often exhibit variegated patterns. This versatility makes them a favorite in ornamental gardening, as they can provide striking vertical accents in flower beds, containers, and window boxes.

The plant itself can grow from 6 inches to 3 feet in height, depending on the variety, and exhibits lance-shaped leaves with a delicate, green hue. Its stems are typically sturdy, which supports the tall, spire-like formation of blooms that can last from late spring into autumn. While they are easy to grow, snapdragons prefer well-draining soil and full sun to produce the most abundant and vibrant flowers.

In addition to their aesthetic appeal, snapdragons have a mild fragrance and are known to attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, contributing positively to the ecosystem of any garden. They are also surprisingly hardy, able to withstand light frosts, which extends their blooming period even in cooler climates.

The popularity of snapdragons in garden design is not solely due to their looks but also their ability to thrive in various soil types and resist many common pests. However, gardeners should be aware of potential issues such as fungal infections if the plants are over-watered or their leaves left damp overnight.

Overall, Antirrhinum majus holds a cherished place in both historical botanical literature and contemporary gardens around the world. Its combination of beauty, resilience, and fascinating floral mechanics ensures that the snapdragon will continue to be a favorite for gardening enthusiasts and professional landscapers alike.

Common Names

Lit: didysis žioveinis
Eng: garden snapdragon, snapdragon, common snapdragon, greater snapdragon
Deu: garten-löwenmaul, großes löwenmaul, löwenmaul
Fra: grand muflier, gueule-de-lion, gueule-de-loup, muflier, muflier à grandes fleurs, gueule de lion, gueule de loup, muflier commun
Dan: have-løvemund
Spa: boca de dragón, bocas-de-lobo, coelhinhos, erva-bezerra, papoes
Ita: bocca di leone comune
Ell: chaskousa, skylaki
Ces: hledík větší
Hun: kerti oroszlánszáj
Swe: lejongap
Nld: grote leeuwenbek
Cym: ceg nain, pen ci bach, safn y llew, trwyn y llo, trwyn y llo mwyaf
En: Snapdragon, Garden snapdragon, “common snapdragon, Large snapdragon”, Common snapdragon, Common snapdragon; garden snapdragon; snapdragon, Greater snapdragon, Dragon Plant
Ar: فم السمكة الشائع
Hy: Անթիրինում մեծ
Eu: Dragoi-mutur
Be: Ільвіны зеў вялікі
Ca: Conillets, Boca de lleó
Zh: 金鱼草
Kw: Sawen an dhragon
Cs: Hledík větší
Da: Have-Løvemund
Nl: Grote leeuwenbek, Grote Leeuwebek
Et: Suur lõvilõug
Fi: Isoleijonankita, Leijonankita
Fr: Grand muflier, Gueule de lion, Gueule de loup, Muflier à grandes fleurs, Gueule-de-lion, Gueule-de-loup, Muflier, Muflier commun, Muflier des jardins
Gl: Herba becerra
De: Löwenmaul, Garten-Löwenmaul, Großes Löwenmaul
El: Σκυλάκι, Chaskousa, Skylaki
He: לוע-ארי גדול
Hu: Kerti oroszlánszáj
Id: Bunga Mulut Singa
It: Bocca di leone comune
Ko: 금어초
Lt: Didysis žioveinis
Fa: گل میمون
Pl: Wyżlin większy
Pt: Boca-de-leão
Sr: Зевалица
Sk: Papuľka väčšia
Es: Boca de dragón, Conejillos, Bocas-de-lobo, Coelhinhos, Erva-bezerra, Papoes, Antirrino, Conejitos, Hierba becerra, Bocaisapo, Boca de dragon
Sv: Lejongap
Zh-tw: 金魚草
Zh-hant: 金魚草
Uk: Ротики садові
Cy: Trwyn y llo, Ceg Nain, Pen Ci Bach, Safn y Llew, Trwyn y Llo Mwyaf

Synonyms

• Antirrhinum majus var. typicum (Bég.)
• Orontium majus ((L.) Pers.)
• Termontis racemosa (Raf.)

Distribution

• Baleares (native)
• France (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Spain (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Algeria (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• East Aegean Is. (introduced)
• East European Russia (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• Easter Is. (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Greece (introduced)
• Guatemala (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Jamaica (introduced)
• Juan Fernández Is. (introduced)
• Kazakhstan (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• Kriti (introduced)
• Krym (introduced)
• Lebanon-Syria (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Mexico Central (introduced)
• Mexico Gulf (introduced)
• Mexico Northeast (introduced)
• Mexico Southeast (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Morocco (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Palestine (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• South European Russi (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)
• Tadzhikistan (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Tunisia (introduced)
• Turkey (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Uzbekistan (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• Wisconsin (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.

Flower

Taken May 26, 2017 by Sarah Dechamps (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Sep 23, 2021 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 6, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 14, 2021 by Pezzi Miguel Ángel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 7, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 22, 2020 by Rodríguez Lorena (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2021 by Sabin Poenariu (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2021 by Giulia Del Giudice Greco (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 7, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 25, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 23, 2021 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 11, 2021 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 29, 2022 by Margarita (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 20, 2021 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 2, 2021 by Ronnie White (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 21, 2022 by Else Nolden (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 2, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 8, 2019 by Émile Maurice (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 6, 2022 by AJ G (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 28, 2020 by erfan jalili (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 19, 2022 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 19, 2022 by Elin Bakås (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2020 by gianni del bufalo (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3172001)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:799180-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Antirrhinum majus L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 5

Atmospheric humidity: 5

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

Soil nutriments: 7