Yellow Toadflax, Butter and eggs
Linaria vulgaris
Family: Scrophulariaceae
What it is like
Linaria vulgaris is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to October, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Height (m): 0.6
Where it is found
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.
Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to the Pyrenees, Greece and W. Asia.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Young shoots - cooked. Use with caution, see the notes above on toxicity.
Medicine
Rating: 2
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. It is little used now, but undoubtedly merits investigation. The whole plant is antiphlogistic, astringent, cathartic, detergent, depurative, diuretic, hepatic, ophthalmic and purgative. It is gathered when just coming into flower and can be used fresh or dried. The plant is especially valued for its strongly laxative and diuretic activities. It is employed internally in the treatment of oedema, jaundice, liver diseases, gall bladder complaints and skin problems. Externally it is applied to haemorrhoids, skin eruptions, sores and malignant ulcers. 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. Dosage is critical, the plant might be slightly toxic. The fresh plant, or an ointment made from the flowers, is applied to piles, skin eruptions etc. The juice of the plant, or the distilled water, is a good remedy for inflamed eyes and cleaning ulcerous sores. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant. It is used in the treatment of diarrhoea and cystitis.
Antiphlogistic: Reduces inflammation.
Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
Cathartic: A strong laxative but less violent than a purgative.
Detergent: A cleansing agent, used on wounds etc. It removes dead and diseased matter.
Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
Hepatic: Acts on the liver (for better or worse!).
Homeopathy: A plant used in homeopathic treatments.
Ophthalmic: Treats eye complaints.
Purgative: A drastic laxative causing a cleansing or watery evacuation of the bowels, usually with a griping pain.
Other
Rating: 3
A yellow dye is obtained from the whole plant. It is obtained from the flowers according to other reports. A tea made from the plant has been used as an insecticide. A good bee plant. Dynamic accumulator.
Dye: Plants that provide dyes.
Insecticide: Kills insects.
Attracts Wildlife: Plants noted for attracting wildlife
Dynamic accumulator: Plants that gather minerals or nutrients from the soil and store them in a more bioavailable form and in high concentration in their tissues. Used as fertilizer or to improve mulch.
Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.
How it is grown
Succeeds in a moderately good well-drained soil. Grows best in a neutral to alkaline soil. It prefers a sunny position but also succeeds in semi-shade. A very drought resistant plant once established, it can be grown in a drystone wall. Plants can spread fairly aggressively at the roots when they are in a suitable position. They also often self-sow freely.
Propagating it: 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.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Hedgerow; East Wall. In. West Wall. In.
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 4-8
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Dry, moist
Things to keep in mind
One report suggests that the plant might be slightly toxic.