Dalmatian Toadflax was first brought to the BC coastal region as an ornamental. Its snapdragon-like beautiful yellow flowers make it a favourite among gardeners.
The plant is native to the Mediterranean region and was introduced to North America in the late 1800s. It appeared in southeast B. C. by 1940.
It is a serious problem for farms and grasslands on our coast. The small and light seeds of toadflax are easily spread by birds, animals, and the wind, and germinate along roadsides, in farmers’ fields, and in logged-over or otherwise disturbed areas. It is an attractive plant and is also found in many coastal gardens.
Dalmatian toadflax is an aggressive invader. It’s fast-growing with very strong horizontal roots. It flowers early and produces great numbers of seeds which give it an advantage over other species.
The plant forms dense thickets that push out native grasses and wildflowers, and reduce land used for cattle and wildlife grazing. Toadflax could be quite toxic to animals but wildlife and livestock generally will not eat it.