Very close to Antirrhinum litigiosum and Antirrhinum tortuosum, it differs from them by having lanceolate, acute bracts, lanceolate sepals, subacute to acuminate, recurved. While Antirrhinum litigiosum and Antirrhinum tortuosum have ovate or ovate-lanceolate, obtuse or acute bracts, ovate, obtuse, non-recurved sepals.
Traditionally this species is better known under the epithet of Antirrhinum barrelieri. However, Antirrhinum barrelieri was described from plants cultivated in the Botanical Garden of Angers, according to species originating from seeds from Tortosa (Tarragona). The ancient authors did not appreciate differences between the plants of the E and NE of the Peninsula with those of the SE. However, the most recent studies of the genus do differentiate them, calling those from the SE Antirrhinum barrelieri, a name that could only be assigned to those from the E and NE.
Carlos Pau was able to interpret this confusing situation and proposed the current names of Antirrhinum controversum for the species from the SE Iberian Peninsula and Antirrhinum litigiosum for those from the E and NE Iberian Peninsula
Flower colour: Pale pink.
Flowering: February to November.
Ecology: Ruderal and rock-cut vegetation. It grows in fissures and rocky landings, on walls, at the edge of roads and in stony areas. Indifferent to the substrate, it has a marked preference for limestone. It grows in places with disturbed, rocky or stony soils, slightly nitrified, preferably in sunny to semi-shaded areas and in areas with mild winters.
Altitudinal range: 10 – 1,600 m.
Distribution: Iberian endemism. Dispersed throughout the southeastern third of the Iberian Peninsula.
