SafePlants

Bastard Toadflax (Comandra umbellata)

Bastard Toadflax, scientifically known as Comandra umbellata (L.) Nutt., is a perennial plant with several common names and interesting ecological characteristics.

Common Names

• Bastard Toadflax
• Umbellate Bastard Toadflax
• California Bastard Toadflax (Comandra umbellata subsp. californica)
• Pale Bastard Toadflax (Comandra umbellata subsp. pallida)
• Common Toadflax
• Pine Bastard Toadflax
• Pale Comandra
• California Comandra

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Comandra umbellata (L.) Nutt.
• Family: Santalaceae (Sandalwood Family)
• Subspecies:
  • Comandra umbellata subsp. californica (Eastw. ex Rydb.) Piehl
  • Comandra umbellata subsp. pallida
  • Comandra umbellata subsp. umbellata

Distribution and Habitat

• Comandra umbellata is found in various locations, including:
  • California
  • British Columbia
  • Canada
  • Montana
  • Washington
  • Oregon
  • Northern Arizona
  • Texas
  • Georgia
• It is represented at Arches National Park.

Ecological Role

• Bastard Toadflax is a parasitic plant, obtaining most of its nutrients from other plants.
• It is also the alternate host of comandra blister rust.

Morphological Characteristics

• It is a perennial plant growing to approximately 0.3 meters (1 foot) in height.
• It flowers from April to June.
• The flowers are hermaphrodite, possessing both male and female reproductive organs.
• It has compact terminal clusters.
• Leafy stems
• Herbaceous Perennial.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• It is a parasitic plant.
• Pollinators visit its flowers.

Quirky Facts

• Despite its name, Bastard Toadflax neither resembles flax nor toadflax in its flowers or leaves.

Further Information

• USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
• Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols. New York, NY.
• Vascular plants (http://species.abmi.ca/pages/species/vplants/ComandraUmbellata.html)