Download Dwarf snapdragon

Dwarf snapdragon
Chaenorrhinum minus L.
Figwort family
Key identifying traits
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Short upright plant usually under 8 inches tall
Glandular hairs cover the entire plant
Lower leaves opposite and oblong; others
alternate and linear, 3/8 to 1 ¼ inches long
Flowers resemble toadflax or snapdragon, but
have a short spur; 2-lobed upper lip and a 3-lobed
lower lip with outside of the flower bluish purple
Flower is about ¼ inch long & remains in bloom for
only 24 hours
Fruit is egg shaped containing dark brown seeds
Biology and ecology
 A summer annual with a small taproot
 Found almost exclusively on bare dry sites; often
along railroads or roads in the intended bare zone
 Reproduces by seed and flowers in about 45 days
 Mature plants are brittle and break off easily
 Seeds are released through two round pores at
the top of the capsule, 40-60 per capsule; when
wet the capsule closes preventing seed escape
 A single seed can start a population of this selffertilizing plant
Control
Prevention – Learn to identify plants; know your
property; beware of bare soil near roads or RR
Biological – None known at this time
Cultural – Good competitive vegetation is the best
protection from infestation
Mechanical – Tillage and pulling work well but can’t be
mowed low enough and often enough
Chemical – Some effective at label rates; repeat
applications necessary to beat fast maturity
dwarf snapdragon is in the center of the
“dead zone” along the highway
Where found – Found along a short portion of HW395 south of Chewelah in Stevens County.
Found along some railroad tracks in Spokane County and in many parts of the US.
Stevens County Noxious Weed Control Board, February 2001; Updated 2003