Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Plant Identification => Plant Identification Questions and Answers => Topic started by: Gene Mirro on November 24, 2012, 11:05:52 PM

Title: European snapdragon?
Post by: Gene Mirro on November 24, 2012, 11:05:52 PM

(http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee69/motie42/IMG_5612small.jpg)

They grow 70cm tall, are perennial, and spread underground.  Any ideas?

Title: Re: European snapdragon?
Post by: Diane Clement on November 24, 2012, 11:37:45 PM

Looks like Linaria vulgaris

Title: Re: European snapdragon?
Post by: Gene Mirro on November 25, 2012, 12:51:22 AM

Oh great.  Are SRGC members allowed to grow plants named vulgaris?  Somebody else suggested that it might be Linaria genistifolia.  It seems too yellow for vulgaris.  Both of them are invasive in the western US. 

Title: Re: European snapdragon?
Post by: Carlo on November 25, 2012, 01:07:41 AM

I don't think it's vulgaris. Try L. genistifolia or L. dalmatica.

Title: Re: European snapdragon?
Post by: Lori S. on November 25, 2012, 01:35:24 AM

Definitely not Linaria vulgaris which has linear leaves and is invasive... however, the spreading underground of this other species is still worrisome.

Title: Re: European snapdragon?
Post by: Gene Mirro on November 25, 2012, 03:01:40 AM

L. dalmatica looks right.  They are all invasive.  But the worst part is that the only way to get rid of it is to dig out all of the root.  http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/animalsAndPlants/noxious-weeds/weed-identification/dalmatian-toadflax.aspx (http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/animalsAndPlants/noxious-weeds/weed-identification/dalmatian-toadflax.aspx) 

Title: Re: European snapdragon?
Post by: arillady on November 25, 2012, 06:05:48 AM

Pity about its invasiveness as it looks like a nice bright plant to grow.

Title: Re: European snapdragon?
Post by: Gene Mirro on November 25, 2012, 07:26:29 AM

It's a beautiful plant, completely trouble-free in my garden.  But it can't be killed with Roundup.  It sounds like trouble.

Title: Re: European snapdragon?
Post by: Alan_b on November 25, 2012, 09:54:31 AM

Quote from: Gene Mirro on November 25, 2012, 03:01:40 AM

http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/animalsAndPlants/noxious-weeds/weed-identification/dalmatian-toadflax.aspx. (http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/animalsAndPlants/noxious-weeds/weed-identification/dalmatian-toadflax.aspx.)

Thats http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/animalsAndPlants/noxious-weeds/weed-identification/dalmatian-toadflax.aspx (http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/animalsAndPlants/noxious-weeds/weed-identification/dalmatian-toadflax.aspx) (no full stop at the end).

Title: Re: European snapdragon?
Post by: Maggi Young on November 25, 2012, 10:47:33 AM

Just a comment - I'd hate to think that any plant with vulgaris in its name would be considered undesirable - that would deprive us of the utterly charming Primula vulgaris for a start....
 :o :'(

Title: Re: European snapdragon?
Post by: Lesley Cox on November 25, 2012, 07:57:29 PM

Does vulgaris not mean "common?" Common as in lots of it, rather than in vulgar. Imagine life without Pulsatilla vulgaris, or the primrose, as you say Maggi. :o