''Cymbalaria muralis'', commonly called ivy-leaved toadflax or Kenilworth ivy, is a low, spreading, viney plant with small purple flowers, native to southern Europe. It belongs to the plantain family ( Plantaginaceae), and is introduced in North America, Australia, and elsewhere. The flower stalk is unusual for seeking light until it is fertilized, after which it grows away from the light. Other names include coliseum ivy, Oxford ivy, mother of thousands, pennywort, and wandering sailor.

Description and habitat

It spreads quickly, growing up to tall – it commonly grows in rock and wall crevices, and along footpaths. The leaves are evergreen, rounded to heart-shaped, long and wide, 3–7-lobed, alternating on thin stems. The flowers are very small but distinctly spurred, similar in shape to snapdragon flowers. Flowers from May to September. File:(MHNT) Cymbalaria muralis.jpg, Plant habit File:(MHNT) Cymbalaria muralis - Leaf.jpg, Leaf File:(MHNT) Cymbalaria muralis - flower.jpg, Flower File:(MHNT) Cymbalaria muralis - fruits.jpg, Fruits

Distribution

''Cymbalaria muralis'' is native to Mediterranean climates in south and southwest Europe, the Southern Alps, eastern Yugoslavia, southern Italy and Sicily. It has spread throughout the world as an invasive plant, including the United States, the British Isles, Australia and New Zealand. It is said to have been introduced into England by accident when a shipment of sculptures was brought to Oxford. It was first introduced early in the 17th century and was widely planted in the UK up to the 19th century.

Reproduction

This plant has an unusual method of propagation. The flower stalk is initially positively

phototropic Phototropism is the growth of an organism in response to a light stimulus. Phototropism is most often observed in plants, but can also occur in other organisms such as fungi. The cells on the plant that are farthest from the light contain a hor ...

and moves towards the light. After fertilisation, it becomes negatively phototropic ("scototropic") and moves away from the light. This results in seed being pushed into dark crevices of rock walls, where it is more likely to germinate.

References

External links

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Jepson Manual TreatmentPhoto gallery
{{Taxonbar, from=Q164270 Plantaginaceae Flora of Europe Plants described in 1753 Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus