[1] Linaria repens is a short-statured herb (maximum 80 cm), spreading by rhizomes.

Its appearance is similar to Linaria purpurea, and the flowers closely resemble Cymbalaria muralis so care must be taken in identification.

[2][3][4] It is found across western Europe and has been introduced to the east coast of the United States.

The species epithet repens is Latin for 'creeping', referring to the growth habit of the plants.

The 'pale' in the English common name refers to the colour of the flowers, in comparison with related species, and 'toadflax' is thought to refer to the plants' historical use to treat bubonic plague, a false link having been drawn at some point between the words 'bubo' and Bufo, which is Latin for toad.