Linaria


Linaria is a genus of 150 species of flowering plants, one of several related groups commonly called toadflax. They are annuals and herbaceous perennials, and the largest genus in the Antirrhineae tribe of the plantain family Plantaginaceae.

Taxonomy

Linaria was traditionally placed in the family Scrophulariaceae. Phylogenetic analysis has now placed it in the vastly expanded family Plantaginaceae.
Closely related genera include the Nuttallanthus, Antirrhinum and Cymbalaria.

Cultivation

Several Linaria species are cultivated as garden plants, notably L. alpina, L. maroccana, L. purpurea and L. vulgaris.

Species

Some of the more familiar Linaria include:
The members of this genus are known in English as toadflax, a name shared with several related genera. The 'toad' in toadflax may relate to the plants having historically been used to treat bubonic plague, a false link having been drawn between the words 'bubo' and 'Bufo'. The scientific name Linaria means "resembling linum", which the foliage of some species superficially resembles.

Distribution and habitat

The genus is native to temperate regions of Europe, northern Africa and Asia, with the highest species diversity in the Mediterranean region.

Ecology

Some Linaria are regarded as noxious weeds. They are likely toxic to livestock, but ruminants generally avoid them.

Chemical Composition

Linaria species are rich in alkaloids, iridoids, terpenes, phenolic acids and flavonoids.
Vasicine, Vasicinone, 7-hyrdoxyvasicine, Linarinic acid, Choline, Linavuline, Luteolin, Acacetin, Apigenin, Chrysin, Quercetin, Myricetin, Linarioside, Aucubin, Linaride, Iridolinaroside A,Iridolinaroside B, Iridolinaroside C, Iridolinaroside D, Iridolinarin A, Iridolinarin B, Iridolinarin C are some compounds found in plants of this genus.

Uses

Toadflaxes are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species, including the mouse moth and the common buckeye.

Traditional Medicine

L. vulgaris has been used as a medicinal herb.