Practical
Plants

Linaria vulgaris

Yellow Toadflax

a perennial member of the Linaria genus in the family Scrophulariaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Linaria
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.6 m
Spread
0.6 m
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

One report suggests that the plant might be slightly toxic[13].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young shoots - cooked[12]. Use with caution, see the notes above on toxicity.

Plant part
Leaves

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.

Yellow toadflax has a long history of herbal use. It acts mainly on the liver and was once widely employed as a diuretic in the treatment of oedema[9]. It is little used now, but undoubtedly merits investigation[9]. The whole plant is antiphlogistic, astringent, cathartic, detergent, depurative, diuretic, hepatic, ophthalmic and purgative[11][12][14][6]. It is gathered when just coming into flower and can be used fresh or dried[11][9]. The plant is especially valued for its strongly laxative and diuretic activities[11]. It is employed internally in the treatment of oedema, jaundice, liver diseases, gall bladder complaints and skin problems[11][8][9]. Externally it is applied to haemorrhoids, skin eruptions, sores and malignant ulcers[9]. The plant should be used with caution. It should preferably only be prescribed by a qualified practitioner and should not be given to pregnant women[9]. Dosage is critical, the plant might be slightly toxic[6][9]. The fresh plant, or an ointment made from the flowers, is applied to piles, skin eruptions etc[11][8]. The juice of the plant, or the distilled water, is a good remedy for inflamed eyes and cleaning ulcerous sores[11]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[14]. It is used in the treatment of diarrhoea and cystitis[14].

Product or use
Antiphlogistic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Cathartic
Product or use
Detergent
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Hepatic
Product or use
Homeopathy
Product or use
Ophthalmic
Product or use
Purgative

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A yellow dye is obtained from the whole plant[12][4]. It is obtained from the flowers according to other reports[11][2]. A tea made from the plant has been used as an insecticide[8].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Insecticide

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to the Pyrenees, Greece and W. Asia.
Habitat
Hedgerows, by ditches, on dry banks and roadside verges. It is especially abundant in sandy and gravelly soils, and in chalk and limestone districts, and avoids acid soils[11][12].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
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.

Seed - sow early spring in situ. Division in April or the autumn. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring. This species can be divided successfully at almost any time in the growing season.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in a moderately good well-drained soil[1]. Grows best in a neutral to alkaline soil[9]. It prefers a sunny position[3] but also succeeds in semi-shade[7]. A very drought resistant plant once established[5], it can be grown in a drystone wall[7]. Plants can spread fairly aggressively at the roots when they are in a suitable position[K]. They also often self-sow freely[9]. A good bee plant[10].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218

    ↩

  3. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

    ↩

  4. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3

    ↩

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩

  6. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2

  7. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩1↩2

  8. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

  10. Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.

    ↩

  11. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  12. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  13. Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO 1984-00-00 ISBN 0112425291

    ↩

  14. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

Edit this page