Yellow Toadflax 
(Linaria vulgaris)

County Management Strategy: Eradication throughout the County.

Identification: A creeping perennial that grows up to 2 feet tall and is often profusely branched. The flowers look like typical snapdragons, with a pale yellow spur and darker yellow to orange throat. The numerous leaves are linear and pointed. Also called butter and eggs, this is a very persistent plant.

Other names: Butter and eggs, Jacob’s ladder, flaxweed, wild snapdragon

Similar Species: Dalmatian toadflax has heart-shaped leaves and the stems are not branched. Narrow-leaved Dalmatian toadflax has narrow leaves but has Dalmatian colored flowers. Many ornamental snapdragons look like toadflax, since it is in the same family. Yellow toadflax has linear leaves. Our native toadflax has blue flowers.

Control Timing: Before flowering and in the fall.

Control target: Prevent seed production and stress root system.

Control Methods: This is a very difficult plant to eradicate. The extensive root system must be stressed continually. Mechanical control is often not effective on larger patches, and may spread root pieces. Herbicides are effective but choice of product and control timing is very important. CSU Extension Service Fact Sheet No. 3.114 has more details on control of Dalmatian and yellow toadflax. Biological control agents are available but biological control is not recommended in Mesa County because eradication is the management goal for this species.

Status in Mesa County: A few small infestations appear to have been eradicated at Vega State Park. One small patch was eradicated at the County owned boat take-out on the Gunnison River near Whitewater. A small patch was found on Skipper’s Island in 2001 and on 25 Road and G 5/8 road north of Grand Junction. Occasional plants are found along the Colorado River. REPORT INFESTATIONS TO THE DIVISION OF PEST MANAGEMENT!

Photos:
http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/weedguid/yelltoad.htm

Fact sheets and control:
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/natres/03114.html
http://www.co.larimer.co.us/publicworks/weeds/30weeds/ytoad.htm

Additional Links:
http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/plant_profile.cgi?symbol=LIVU2