The taxonomic backstory of Canada toadflax could have inspired a line out of Shakespeare, if not for the flower's completely unromantic name. I mean "a toadflax by any other name" just doesn't cut it no matter how goodlooking said toadflax might be.

Scientists just don't know what to call it. Or more accurately, they don't agree on what to call it. Or what family to which it belongs. For our purposes, we'll use Linaria canadensis.

Canada toadflax is in fact a native of Canada, but commonly found throughout most of eastern North America as far south as Texas and Florida. Its native range includes almost every county in the Sunshine State, with the notable local exception of Monroe. It's also found along the Pacific coast. It considered rare in South Florida. It is listed as endangered in Ohio, where it's called old-field toadflax.

Canada toadflax is a small plant, extending four to eight inches off the ground. The flowers, which bloom in spring, are pale blue to violet. They're small, about a third of an inch long, but the plant often occurs in clusters, and sheer numbers help make up for the lack of size. With its different hues of purple and blue, the plant can put on an impressive display. The stems can be reddish. It is a biennial, meaning it lives only two years, developing as a plant the first year, flowering the second. The blooms last about a month, go to seed, and the plant dies.