Dwarf Snapdragon

Dwarf snapdragon Chaenorrhinum minus L. Figwort family
Key identifying traits 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 self-fertilizing 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 – The PNW Weed Management Handbook does not have this weed listed for control recommendations, but glyphosate may be a good choice along road shoulders or driveways where injury to other plants can be tolerated

	dwarf snapdragon 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. MSdoc pdf