toadflax

American  

[tohd-flaks] / ˈtoʊdˌflæks /

noun

1. a common European plant, Linaria vulgaris, of the figwort family, having narrow leaves and showy yellow-and-orange flowers, naturalized as a weed in the U.S.

2. any plant of the same genus.

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toadflax British  

/ ˈtəʊdˌflæks /

noun

1. Also called: butter-and-eggs.  any of various scrophulariaceous plants of the genus Linaria, esp L. vulgaris, having narrow leaves and spurred two-lipped yellow-orange flowers

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Etymology

Origin of toadflax

First recorded in 1570–80; toad + flax

Example Sentences

“Knowing Toadflax, I’m surprised he didn’t knock you over first and ask questions afterward. All the same, let’s wait a little longer. Blackberry ought to be here soon.”

From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams

Toadflax was the only member of the Owsla I’d seen and I asked him about the Threarah, but he couldn’t talk any kind of sense.

From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams

“Spreading dissension and inciting to mutiny. Silver, you’re under arrest too, for failing to report to Toadflax this evening and causing your duty to devolve on a comrade. You’re both to come with me.”

From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams

On the other hand, there seemed no point in taking particular pains to get hold of rabbits who were going to behave like Toadflax.

From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams

I saw Scabious, as plain as grass—and heard him crying, too: and I saw the Threarah and Toadflax and Pimpernel.

From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams