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Biology and Management of the Toadflaxes <br />Page 1 of 4 <br />~,~~ve <br />!s.,:lnrlk~Ci <br />YnliigsA'aouiedge ro -torb -.<. a,~ , ~Us, ° '' CPi' ~ ~~~lifYi<ZIZGfOtiYGCS . '~ <br />~~. ~ . <br />I 4-HlYouth Agriculture FamilyAConsumer HorBcuhure Natural Resources Nutrition Resources Home <br />no. 3.114 <br />Biology and Management of the <br />Toadflaxes <br />by K.G. Beck. 1 <br />Quick Facts... <br />Yellow toadflax (Linaria vu/garis) and the Dalmatian toadflaxes (linaria da/matica <br />and Linaria genistifolia) are invasive, perennial weeds that are noxious in Colorado <br />and other western states. <br />Seeds of yellow toadflax germinate and emerge in early to mid-May while <br />Dalmatian toadflax seeds may germinate and emerge earlier, especially on south <br />or southeast facing slopes. <br />Dalmatian toadflax may be controlled with Tordon 22K at 2 pt/A sprayed at <br />flowering or in fall. Yellow toadflax (Linaria vulgaris) and the Dalmatian toadflaxes <br />(Linaria dalmatica and Linaria genistifolia) are invasive, perennial weeds that are <br />noxious in Colorado and many other western states. Toadflax invasion is favored <br />by disturbance and they invade degraded areas such as roadsides, abandoned lots <br />and fields, gravel pits, clearings, and overgrazed rangeland. In Colorado, these <br />weed species are found at elevations from 5,000 feet to over 10,000 feet. Yellow <br />toadflax in particular has spread into high mountain valleys and parks. Yellow <br />toadflax infests 40,800 acres in Colorado and Dalmatian toadflax infests 34,200 <br />acres. <br />Origin and History <br />The toadflaxes have a storied past and a long <br />relationship with humans. Dalmatian toadflax is native <br />to the Mediterranean region. Broad-leaved Dalmatian <br />toadflax (L. dalmatica) has been cultivated as an ,~ <br />ornamental for at least 400 years. It was introduced <br />into the western U.S. as an ornamental in 1874. The `'' ` <br />majority of Dalmatian toadflax infestations in the west ~"" }_ <br />are broad-leaved Dalmatian toadflax; however in its <br />native Eurasian habitat, narrow-leaved Dalmatian ~ .,; <br />toadflax (L, genistifolia) is more widespread, ~ ~' <br />indicating its potential to also invade and became " ~, ' <br />widely dispersed in the U.S. Narrow-leaved Dalmatian wi - """ <br />toadflax currently infests several areas in western `~ +~ -. <br />Oregon, northwestern Washington, British Columbia, <br />and possibly in Colorado .,,. <br />Yellow toadflax is native to south-central Eurasia .,"'.: r'x"~ <br />where it was used for fabric dyes and for medicinal "` ''V'~~' ~~ <br />purposes. It was imported into North America in the ,,1>,~ <br />late 1600s as an ornamental and for folk remedies. It <br />http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubslnatres/03114.htm1 6/20/2005 <br />