Plants and People Project

Butter-and-Eggs - Linaria vulgaris

Also called Yellow Toadflax.

"The butter-and-eggs, a native of Europe, was introduced into North America by the early settlers because of its many uses. They used it as an ingredient in colonial skin lotion. They made a tea made from its leaves to treat constipation. Its juice, mixed with milk, was used as a fly poison around barns." WildFlowers of Sleepy Hollow Lake

"Several insect species have been introduced to control the spread of Butter-and-Eggs. This includes Brachypterolus pulicarius, a small black beetle that feeds on the tips of the shoots; Gymnaetron antirrhini, a weevil that feeds on the seed capsules; and Calophasia lunula, a moth with larvae that feed on the foliage and flowers." Illinois Wildflowers

When I was a young girl, I loved to spy these flowers growing along the road as I walked home from school. Today many people are trying to eradicate this invasive plant.

The Global Invasive Species Initiative of the Nature Conservancy

This naturalized wildflower adds a cheerful splash of yellow to late summer and autumn days.

Identification and other facts / PLANTS database

Butter and Eggs

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Posted 10/26/05 Cindy O'Hora