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Pests
Under Eradication : Dalmatian Toadflax
Dalmatian Toadflax
Linaria dalmatica (L.) Mill.
Scrophulariaceae - Figwort family
Dalmatian Toadflax was introduced as an ornamental from
Europe.
It is a creeping short-lived perennial plant, up to 4
feet tall that spreads by seeds and roots. The creeping
root system makes this plant very difficult to control.
Vertical roots can reach depths of 6 feet, while lateral
roots may spread outward up to 10 feet or more, remaining
close to the soil surface. Buds that develop on the lateral
roots produce new shoots. The leaves are light-green,
heart-shaped, waxy-like and clasping the stem, and are
alternately arranged and crowded on the stem.
The flowers are bright yellow with an orange throat and
shaped like an ornamental snapdragon and are 1 to 1.5
inches long.
The plant flowers from May to August, producing000 capsules
containing 100-200 seeds. A single plant may produce thousands
of seeds. With the proper conditions, Dalmatian Toadflax
populations “explode” to take over rangelands,
forested areas and roadsides.
This plant has no value as forage and is unpalatable to
livestock. Dalmatian Toadflax contains alkaloids that
may be harmful to grazing mammals.
The Department has eradicated populations of this weed
at 91 locations in the Big Bear area since June 1963 in
order to prevent its spread. Currently there are only
five locations left for eradication of this noxious weed.
Treatments currently consist of manual removal of mature
plants and chemical treatment of immature plants with
Roundup Pro herbicide.
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