Family: Plantaginaceae Genus: Linaria

Species: Linaria triornithophora (L.) Cav.

Common Name(s): three birds flying, three birds toadflax; (Spanish) conejitos, gallos, pajaritos, paxarinos; (Galician) arreitó, calzas de cuco, esporas, galos, paxariños

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Linaria triornithophora, also known as three birds flying, is native to northwest and west central Spain as well as north and central Portugal. It is an eye-catching perennial typically found in scrubs, slopes, margins and clearings of forests, especially in those of oak trees, with preference for acid-type soils and some shade.291

Etymology

Triornithophora is Latin for “bearing three birds.” The name reflects how the plant’s vibrant violet-purple flowers look like birds when they bloom from March to September. Given that it’s not that unusual for the plant whorls to produce not three but four flowers, the plant should really be named “Three or Sometimes Four Birds Flying!”292 The whorls of the flower have been compared to colorful parakeets perched on short, lateral stems.293

Three birds flying was previously classified within the Snapdragon family (Scrophulariaceae). However, recent genetic research has placed it within the Plantaginaceae family, alongside plantains.

Ecology

Like many flowering plants, three birds flying attracts pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to its flowers. This helps to facilitate pollination and contributes to the biodiversity of its native habitats and garden ecosystems.294