Andrew Dawson’s lovely photo of this week’s plant was taken at Lucknam. You will also find it in Frank’s Wood alongside the dead hedge. Common toadflax seeds have been found in the uk dating back 400,000 years. Quite something to think about! This truly ancient survivor has had plenty time to evolve its pollination strategy. Opening the flower mouth requires a large bee, increasing the chance it will be carrying pollen from another toadflax. Only long-tongued species can reach the nectar reward (though some with short tongues cheat by nibbling directly into the spur).
The name toadflax most likely relates to the way the closed flower will gape open like a toad's mouth if pinched or a bumblebee lands in the right spot. The genus name Linaria, derives from the Latin for flax (linum) as they look similar pre flowering. Vulgaris just means common.
Living alongside people for a very long time, it has attracted numerous regional names. The local names data base Local names data base lists 63 including these for Wiltshire: Bread and Cheese, Butter and Sugar, Puppy-dog’s mouth, Mouse’s Mouth. Has anyone heard them used? Butter and Eggs, or Eggs and Bacon were more widespread names, also Flaxweed.
A tea made from the leaves is a laxative and strong diuretic - best avoided!
Common toadflax is drought tolerant and will grow happily in waste ground and verges. Providing a banquet for our bumblebees it is also an important food plant for many beetle and moth species including the delightfully named toadflax pug. Data base of insects and their foodplants. So if you see it, doff your cap in respect and let it grow.