Linaria repens (L.) Mill.
pale toadflax
Glabrous perennial with slender creeping rhizomes; stems branched, to c. 60 cm tall. Lvs 2-4 cm × 1.5-4 mm, linear, probably mostly or always glaucous; apex acute. Infl. lax, few-flowered. Pedicels 2-5 mm long; bracts linear, nearly as long as pedicels. Calyx c. 2 mm long, lobed to base; lobes lanceolate, subacute. Corolla 10-16 mm long (including straight spur 2-4 mm long), pale mauve or whitish with darker purplish veins (appearing striated); pouch puberulent, probably orange; upper lip c. 4 mm long. Capsules not seen. Seed 1-2 mm long, rugose, 3-angled, scarcely winged.
N.: Silverdale (N. Auckland); S.: Christchurch.
Europe 1958
Occasional garden weed and cultivation escape in open places near areas of cultivation.
FL Apr-Jun.
Pale toadflax is a variable plant in Europe with considerable differences in general habit, and size and length of corolla. However, the streaked corolla is a characteristic feature.
