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Toadflax.

Common toadflax; Butter and eggs

Harilik käokannus    Linaria vulgaris

 

A quite common perennial of the figwort (Scrophulariaceae) family, even growing among the shore pebbles. Other habitats: dry meadows, road and field margins, wastelands and sands. Thus accepts lighter soils. In open locations because in the meadow grass the toadflax cannot hold its own against the competition.

 

With a densely leafed stem, leaves without a stalk and can stretch up to half a metre, sometimes even taller. The yellow, delicate flowers have a long spur – just as if with a tail, and are placed in a bunch (raceme) at the tip of stems. The flowering time goes on until September. A good honey plant in addition to its ornamental values, and there is no one like it in our nature. The toadflax leaves have a slightly unpleasant odour when rubbed between the fingers, from that the belief that the plant wards off flies. Domestic cattle also leave it alone because it is slightly toxic and reeks.