toadflax

American  

[tohd-flaks] / ˈtoʊdˌflæks /

noun

1. a common European plant, Linaria vulgaris, of the figwort family, having narrow leaves and showy yellow-and-orange flowers, naturalized as a weed in the U.S.

2. any plant of the same genus.

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toadflax British  

/ ˈtəʊdˌflæks /

noun

1. Also called: butter-and-eggs.  any of various scrophulariaceous plants of the genus Linaria, esp L. vulgaris, having narrow leaves and spurred two-lipped yellow-orange flowers

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Etymology

Origin of toadflax

First recorded in 1570–80; toad + flax

Example Sentences

Plants targeted in the weed purges include Dalmatian toadflax, dyer’s woad and houndstongue.

From Washington Times • May 11, 2018

Dalmatian and yellow toadflax can cross-pollenate, creating a hybrid that’s both hardier and harder to control.

From Washington Times • Jun. 3, 2017

The first hybrid toadflax was detected near Radersburg, Montana, in 2005.

From Washington Times • Jun. 3, 2017

Wild licorice, fireweed, hawkweed, bastard toadflax and littleleaf pussytoes created a carpet underfoot.

From New York Times • Oct. 21, 2016

One morning she had me traipsing out at the crack of dawn for prickly poppy, toadflax, spiderwort, and skeleton weed.

From "Moon Over Manifest" by Clare Vanderpool