Linaria bipartita
Clovenlip toadflax
(c) zebedeugalinha, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Linaria bipartita (Clovenlip toadflax) is a non-native California herb in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by distinctive violet corolla with white/orange throat and 2-lobed stigma.
Clovenlip toadflax is a naturalized annual found in coastal California regions including central Coast Ranges, southern California, southern Channel Islands, and Peninsular Ranges in disturbed areas at elevations below 550 meters. Flowering from December to July, this plant produces violet flowers with a distinctive white throat and orange base, approximately 18 to 20 millimeters long. Growing with glaucous stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it appears smooth and bluish-green. Its narrow linear leaves measure 30 to 50 millimeters in length, arranged along slender stems. The tiny fruit is approximately 2 millimeters long with pyramid-shaped seeds featuring distinct ridges.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 5 species; distinctive violet corolla with white/orange throat and 2-lobed stigma
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas
Elevation: < 550 m
Outside California: native to Mediterranean
Bloom period
Linaria bipartita blooms Dec-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Antirrhinum: Linaria has a true backward-pointing spur; Antirrhinum has only a sac-like swelling at flower base.; vs Nemesia: Linaria has a long backward-pointing spur; Nemesia has a short spur or pouch.; vs Collinsia: Linaria has spurred flowers with throat swelling; Collinsia has keeled lower lip with stamens tucked inside.; vs Salvia: Linaria has five stamens and spurred flowers; Salvia has two stamens and square stems.
Frequently asked questions
Is Linaria bipartita native to California?
No. Linaria bipartita is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Linaria bipartita bloom?
Linaria bipartita blooms Dec-Jul.
What plant family does Linaria bipartita belong to?
Linaria bipartita is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Linaria.
What habitat does Linaria bipartita grow in?
Linaria bipartita grows in Disturbed areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.