Antirrhinum

Antirrhinum is a genus of flowering plants in the family Plantaginaceae, commonly known as snapdragons. Native to the western Mediterranean region, it includes wild species and numerous cultivated garden varieties. The genus name derives from Greek, alluding to the dragon’s-mouth appearance of the flowers when squeezed.

Plants are usually herbaceous and may be annuals or short-lived perennials. They form upright clumps with opposite, lanceolate leaves. The inflorescence is a slender spike of tubular, bilabiate flowers. Each flower opens in a two-lipped manner, and the corolla resembles a dragon’s mouth when squeezed. Flowers display a wide range of colors, including red, pink, yellow, white, and bi-colors, often in contrasting patterns.

Cultivation and use are primarily ornamental. Antirrhinum prefer full sun and well-drained soil with regular moisture, but dislike waterlogged conditions. In temperate regions they are often grown as cool-season bedding plants or treated as annuals; some species provide short-lived perennials in milder climates. Propagation is predominantly by seed.

The best-known species is Antirrhinum majus, the common snapdragon, extensively bred for color, height, and flower form. Taxonomically, the genus is placed in Plantaginaceae under modern classifications, having previously been included in Scrophulariaceae. In horticulture, hybrids and cultivars are popular for borders, containers, and cut flowers. Common pests include aphids and thrips, while powdery mildew and gray mold can affect growth in damp conditions.