Kickxia elatine (L.) Dumort.
Fluellen
Sharp-leaved fluellen is a small, trailing annual of the plantain family (Plantaginaceae) and an archaeophyte — an ancient introduction long naturalised on British farmland. Its slender, prostrate, branching stems spread flat across the ground, set at intervals with pointed, arrowhead- or halberd-shaped leaves.
About
Sharp-leaved fluellen is a small, trailing annual of the plantain family (Plantaginaceae) and an archaeophyte — an ancient introduction long naturalised on British farmland. Its slender, prostrate, branching stems spread flat across the ground, set at intervals with pointed, arrowhead- or halberd-shaped leaves. The tiny flowers are like miniature snapdragons, with a pale yellow lower lip and deep purple upper lip, each carried on a long, straight, hairless stalk — a useful feature separating it from its round-leaved cousin.
It is a plant of arable margins, headlands and stubbles, along with tracks, gardens and waste ground, usually on lighter, base-rich soils over chalk or calcareous clay. In Britain it is rather local, concentrated in southern England, the Welsh coast and south-east Ireland. Flowering comes late, from July to October, providing nectar after many cornfield flowers have finished, and it suits late-season arable-conservation mixes on warm, calcareous soils.
Also known as
Pointed Toad Flax · Sharp-leaved Fluellen · Sharpleaf Fluvellin · Sharpleaf cancerwort · Sharpleaf cancerwort, sharpleaved fluellen
Synonyms
? biancii · Kickxia elatine prestandreii · Linaria elatine biancii · Linaria incana · Linaria sieberi biancii · Linaria sieberi prestandreii
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.