Cymbalaria muralis

Cymbalaria muralis
Cymbalaria muralis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Genus: Cymbalaria
Species: C. muralis
Binomial name
Cymbalaria muralis
G.Gaertn., B.Mey. & Scherb.
Synonyms

Linaria cymbalaria

Cymbalaria muralis (Ivy-leaved toadflax or Kenilworth Ivy) is a flowering plant native to Mediterranean Europe and widely naturalised elsewhere. It spreads quickly, growing up to 5 cm (2.0 in) tall—it commonly grows in rock and wall crevices, and along footpaths. The leaves are evergreen, rounded to heart-shaped, 2.5 to 5 cm (0.98 to 2.0 in) long and wide, three-seven lobed, alternating on thin stems. The flowers are very small, similar in shape to snapdragon flowers.[1]

This plant has an unusual method of propagation. The flower stalk is initially positively phototropic and moves towards the light—after fertilization it becomes negatively phototropic 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 and where it prefers to grow.[2]

Gallery
 
 
 

Notes

  1. ^ MacKenzie, David S. (2002). Perennial Ground Covers. Timber Press. p. 121. ISBN 9780881925579. 
  2. ^ Hart, James Watnell (1990). Plant tropisms and other growth movements. p. 101. Springer. ISBN 9780412530807. 

External links


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