Cymbalaria muralis, commonly known as ivy-leaved toadflax or Kenilworth ivy, is a delicate perennial wildflower native to southern Europe. It is recognized by its small, rounded leaves resembling miniature ivy and its tiny lilac flowers with a yellow throat. The species name muralis means “of walls,” reflecting its remarkable habit of growing from cracks in stonework, ruins, and old masonry. An unusual feature of the plant is that its flower stalks bend away from the light after pollination, pushing the developing seed capsules into wall crevices where new plants can take root.
Ivy-leaved toadflax
Backlit, Stuttgart, Germany, 04/2021, Julian Auch
Illustration, La Botanique de J.J. Rousseau, 1905, Pierre-Joseph Redouté
