BUTTER-AND-EGGS
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BUTTER-AND-EGGS

Linaria vulgaris
PLANTAIN FAMILY (Plantaginaceae)

Identification

  • Flowering time - June, July, August
  • Rare on floodplain at FF
  • Unusual, spurred, 2-lipped flower with bulbous orange center
  • Numerous narrow leaves
  • BUTTER-AND-EGGS
  • BUTTER-AND-EGGS
  • BUTTER-AND-EGGS
  • BUTTER-AND-EGGS
Click on each photo thumbnail to enlarge.

Description
This intoduced plant grows from 1-2 feet tall.  It has creeping roots and many alternate linear leaves (C,D). A spike-like flower cluster a few inches long develops at the ends of the stem and branches. The spurred, two-lipped yellow flowers are about an inch long with an orange “palate” as shown in images (A,E). Image (B) shows the flowers before opening.

Occurrence
A patch of this species was first noticed and photographed along the floodplain boardwalk in Fontenelle Forest in July 2015, but it is common in most of Eastern Nebraska. It flowers from June through August in our area. It was first collected in our state in 1883, having been introduced from Europe as an ornamental plant.

An alternate common name is Yellow Toadflax.

 

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