Linaria canadensis
Blue Toadflax
an annual or biennial member of the Linaria genus in the family Scrophulariaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Scrophulariaceae
- Genus
- Linaria
- Life cycle
- annual, biennial
- Height
- 0.6 m
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
Uses
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The leaves are antihaemorrhoidal, diuretic and laxative[4][2]. They are applied externally in the treatment of haemorrhoids[2].
- Product or use
- Antihaemorrhoidal
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Laxative
Environment
- Range
- N. America - Nova Scotia to Florida, west to Minnesota, Oregon, Texas and California
- Habitat
- Dry sterile or sandy soils, often a weed in sandy loams[3].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 4+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- drought
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- tolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A very drought resistant plant once established, it thrives in a poor gravelly soil[1]. Nitrogen-rich soils produce excessive leaf growth at the expense of flowering[1]. Prefers a sunny position[1].
References
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148
Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202