Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Yellow toadflax, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide

Stem

  • Multiple stems up to 3 ft. tall; woody base; often branched near top; sometimes hairy
Photo of Yellow toadflax

Leaves

  • Alternate; strap-like (linear), 1-2.5 in. long, 0.1-0.2 in wide and lack hair (glabrous) to sparsely hairy; NO leaf stems (petioles); DO NOT clasp the stem; edges (margins) are smooth 
Photo of Yellow toadflax plant with yellow flowers on top
 

Flower

  • Snapdragon-like; 0.5-1.5 in. long, bright yellow to white with an orange bearded throat and a yellow spur; clustered along upper part of stem
  • Seed capsules round with two chambers, 0.3-0.5 in. diameter, contain many seeds
Photo of Yellow toadflax yellow flower

Root

  • Creeping root system
Photo of Yellow toadflax plant

Other

  • Grows best in coarse soils; often infests rangelands, waste areas and roadsides; known to occur in Elko, and Storey counties
  • Perennial; reproduces by seed and creeping roots
  • Toxic to livestock if ingested in large quantities; historically used as a medicine, a dye and an ornamental
  • Also known as “butter and eggs”
 
 

Control

  • Mechanical control (mowing, burning or tillage) is NOT effective
  • Several biological control agents are available
  • Apply 2,4-D, aminocyclopyrachlor, chlorsulfuron, glyphosate, imazapyr, metsulfuron or picloram to actively growing plants; imazapic shortly after first killing frost

Learn more about the author(s)

Heidi Kratsch
Heidi Kratsch
 

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