Linaria vulgaris (yellow toadflax, butter and eggs)

Linaria vulgaris

Photo courtesy Joseph DiTomaso

Linaria vulgaris (yellow toadflax, butter and eggs) is an herbaceous perennial (family Scrophulariaceae) that was introduced as an ornamental. It can be found in disturbed open sites, fields, pastures, degraded rangelands, roadsides, agronomic and perennial crops. Although it is typically found in northern California, it can occur sporadically in many other areas of California, except desert areas and the Big Basin. Infestations often form large colonies, displacing desirable vegetation.

Cal-IPC Inventory rating: Moderate

Cal-IPC Resources on Linaria vulgaris

• California Invasive Plant Inventory Plant Assessment Form - Information gathered by Cal-IPC on the impacts, rate of spread, and distribution of invasive plants in California. Does not include management information.
• CalWeedMapper - Statewide maps, climate models, and reports.
• Cal-IPC News - Articles from our quarterly newsletter. Each issue is available as a pdf. List of articles on Linaria vulgaris.
• Cal-IPC Symposium Proceedings - Presentations and papers from our annual Symposium. List of articles on Linaria vulgaris.
• Don't Plant a Pest! - Select your region to find non-invasive alternatives to ornamental species.

Cal-IPC News Articles

• Brusati, E., D. Morawitz, et al. (2011). Prioritizing Regional Response to Invasive Plants in the Sierra Nevada. Cal-IPC News. 19: 4, 5, 10.
• Donaldson, S. (2003). Fighting weeds in the Tahoe basin. CalEPPC News. 11: 7.
• Pitcairn, M. (2000). All weeds that have approved biological control agents, accidental introductions and others. CalEPPC News. 8.

Cal-IPC Symposium Proceedings

• Donaldson, S., W. West, et al. (2003). Getting the job done: Working within the regulatory environment at Lake Tahoe to manage weeds. California Invasive Plant Council Symposium 2003. Kings Beach, CA.
• O'Connell, R. A. (1997). Hydrilla: A case study: The state of California's noxious weed eradication programs. California Exotic Pest Plant Council Symposium '97. Concord, CA.

Other Resources on Linaria vulgaris

• USDA PLANTS database - Federal database with information on identification and distribution, and links to websites in individual states.
• Jepson Online Interchange for California Flora - Information on taxonomy, biology, and distribution from the UC Berkeley Jepson Herbarium.
• CalFlora - Distribution information by county based on submitted observations and herbarium specimens.
• The Nature Conservancy Management Summary - Information compiled by TNC land managers. Photos included for some species.
• Encycloweedia - Plants rated as noxious weeds by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
• CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.

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