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Class B Noxious Weed

Dalmatian Toadflax
Linaria dalmatica ssp. dalmatica

 

dalmatian toadflax flower


Plant family: Scrophulariaceae
Year listed: 1997
Native to: The Dalmatian coast of the former Yugoslavia to Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Greece, Crete, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Syria, Iran, and Iraq.

Why is it a noxious weed?

Mature Dalmatian toadflax plants are strongly competitive, especially with shallow-rooted perennials and winter annuals. Because of its competitive ability, Dalmatian toadflax causes negative impacts in pasture, rangelands, and natural areas, where it may outcompete natives or other desirable species.

How would I identify it?
General Description:  Dalmatian toadflax is an erect, short-lived, perennial herb, 0.8 to 1.5 m
tall.

Leaves:

  • alternate
  • light green
  • waxy

Flowers:

  • bright yellow, tinged with orange
  • resemble snapdragon flowers
  • petals have 2 lips, upper is 2 lobed, lower is 3 lobed
  • individual flowers occur on long racemes

Stems:

  • woody
  • branching

Line drawings are taken from 1,000 Weeds of North America, copyright of XID Service, Inc and used with permission. Permission granted by the author.

How does it reproduce?

Dalmatian toadflax spreads by horizontal or creeping rootstocks and by seed. A mature plant can produce up to 500,00 seeds.

Where does it grow?
Dalmatian toadflax can be found on roadsides, in pastures, rangeland, and waste areas.

What is the distribution in Washington State?

 

 

 

Click on map to enlarge.

  • Dalmation toadflax has been documented throughout most of Washington. Refer to map for distribution levels in specific counties.

  • Distribution map is based on 2003 data.

How do I control it?

General control methods:

Cultural: Intensive clean cultivation can effectively control Dalmatian toadflax. Cultivation methods must continue for at least two years, with eight to ten cultivations in the first year, and four to five in the next year. 

Herbicide: Please refer to the PNW Weed Management Handbook, or contact your county noxious weed coordinator.

Mechanical: Information not available at this time.

Biological: Calophasia lunula, a defoliating moth, is well-established in Washington and reportedly provides good control.

Are there plants that may be confused with Dalmatian Toadflax?
Common Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris) is very similar in appearance. If you need help with plant identification, please contract  your county noxious weed coordinator.

For more information
For more information, download our Written Findings.

 

More Photos-Click photo to enlarge
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Dalmatian toadflax infestation.

 Last updated September 10, 2008