snapdragon
Antirrhinum L.
A genus overview; characteristics vary between its species.
Antirrhinum, the snapdragons, is a Mediterranean genus in the plantain family. Its flowers have a largely closed entrance, a structure studied for its role in limiting access to visitors. The genus includes the familiar garden snapdragon as well as wild Mediterranean relatives. Kew POWO: AntirrhinumVargas et al. 2017: Flower specialisation in Antirrhinum
Botanical name
Antirrhinum L. is accepted in Plantaginaceae. Scrophulariaceae, retained in the catalog, is an older family placement. Kew POWO: Antirrhinum
Recognizing the plant
The characteristic flower has a tubular, two-lipped corolla. Simple leaves accompany flowers borne singly or in terminal racemes. The RHS genus account includes annuals, perennials and small woody-based shrubs, so the familiar bedding-plant form represents only part of the group’s range of growth habits. Royal Horticultural Society: Antirrhinum
Native range
Kew’s current treatment places its native range in the western and central Mediterranean and assigns it to the plantain family, Plantaginaceae. Kew POWO: Antirrhinum
Ecological relationships
A study of Iberian Antirrhinum found that large, long-tongued bees were the principal pollinators. Crossing experiments generally showed self-incompatibility, underscoring the importance of pollen transfer between plants. Bumblebees were associated with a predominantly northern group of species, while other large bees featured more strongly among southern Mediterranean species. Vargas et al. 2017: Flower specialisation in Antirrhinum
Botanical sources
- Kew POWO: Antirrhinum
- Royal Horticultural Society: Antirrhinum
- Vargas et al. 2017: Flower specialisation in Antirrhinum
Reviewed 2026-10-11. Seasonal development varies with location and growing conditions.