Cymbalaria muralis

Cymbalaria muralis spreads quickly, growing tall. It is a biennial or short lived perennial plant. They may have from three to seven lobes, while in Eastern Europe it does so from June to July with seeds in September. In North America it may flower from May to October. The flowers are pollinated by bees, but are also self-compatible. The seeds are quite small, just 0.5–1 mm with a crescent shape covered in minute warty bumps. ==Taxonomy==

As with many plants, Cymbalaria muralis was given its first scientific name and description by the early taxonomist Carl Linnaeus. He placed it in the genus Antirrhinum with plants commonly called snapdragons in 1753 as Antirrhinum cymbalaria. Its taxonomic history since that date is quite complex with twenty-two species and five subspecies that are considered to be taxonomic synonyms as of 2024. As previously it was given six more variously incorrect names in genus Cymbalaria over the next 147 years. In some sources Cymbalaria muralis subsp. pubescens continues to be listed as a valid subspecies, but it is not listed as valid by most sources. Cymbalaria muralis subsp. muralis This subspecies is hairless or nearly so in most parts. Cymbalaria muralis subsp. visianii This subspecies was first described in 1925 as Cymbalaria muralis f. visianii by Sándor Jávorka using an incomplete description by Jenő Béla Kümmerle. In 1972 the Irish botanist D. A. Webb described it with its current name making the distinction from Cymbalaria pilosa, which as of 2024 is regarded as a synonym of Sibthorpia europaea by POWO. All parts of the plants are covered in fine hairs (villous) except for the seed pods, which are hairless. Names The species name muralis comes from the Latin "mūrālis" for walls and relating to them, from its habit of growing on them. One of its most frequent common names in English, "ivy-leaved toadflax", is a compound name that describes the appearance of the plant. The leaves of the species are similar shape to those of ivy. Its flowers are similar to those of the closely related genus Linaria, which is called toadflax because it is a frequent weed of flax grown as a crop, and the flowers reminded people of a toad's mouth. Related to its habit of growing on ruins, it was also called "coliseum ivy", a name that was first recorded in 1864. From its first location of introduction in England it was also called "Oxford ivy" and was previously called "Oxford weed". The common name "Kenilworth ivy" is speculated to come from the English town of Kenilworth or the castle of the same name which is near where the plant first appeared in England in the 1600s. Other less common names related to its ivy-like appearance include "ivy-weed", "ivy-wort", and "Kentucky-ivy". The common name "mother of thousands" has been applied to this species and also to Saxifraga stolonifera, Tolmiea menziesii, and Soleirolia soleirolii. It has also been called "pennywort", but this name is shared with many other vaguely round leafed herbaceous plants.), and "Wandering Jew" (with Saxifraga stolonifera and Tradescantia fluminensis). ==Distribution==

POWO regards the native range for this species to be limited to southern Europe, in Austria, France, Italy, Switzerland, and the former Yugoslavia, with the nominate subspecies Cymbalaria muralis subsp. muralis also occurring throughout this range. Cymbalaria muralis subsp. visianii recorded by POWO as growing in the southeastern part of the species' range, only in Italy and the former Yugoslavia. Its first record outside of cultivation in Great Britain is from 1640. A frequently repeated story is that the plants were introduced accidentally as part of a shipment of statuary to Oxford. Thereafter it became a popular ornamental plant that was widely planted in the United Kingdom through the 19th century. Regardless of its status it is recorded from Ireland and Portugal in the west in every country as far east as Ukraine, Poland, and Sweden, and according to POWO it may also be found in the Baltic States, northwestern Russia, and the North Caucasus Bermuda, Mauritius, St. Helena, and the Juan Fernández Islands. It is also found in six Australian states, Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, the south of Queensland, and the island state of Tasmania. ==Habitat==

upon the trunk of a palm tree, Auckland, NZ The original habitat for Cymbalaria muralis was narrow niches in rock faces and cliffs. In cooler climates like Lower Silesia in Poland it grows in warm microclimates such as on south or west facing walls of structures or the embankments of rivers. In hot climates it becomes a high altitude specialist, for example growing from 1100–1300 m in elevation in Costa Rica. ==Ecology==

Cymbalaria muralis is a generalist, attracting a wide range of pollinators, including bees, flies, and butterflies. Their roots are associated with arbuscular mycorrhiza, a group of fungi that partner with plants. At least three aphid species Myzus ornatus (violet aphid), Myzus persicae (green peach aphid), and Myzus cymbalariae are commonly found on Cymbalaria muralis. The last of these was first observed feeding on ivy-leaved toadflax and is named for the species. The plant is also a host for tomato ringspot virus. ==Uses==

Edibility Ivy-leaved toadflax is sometimes used as a salad green in Southern Europe. or bitter with a sharp numbing sensation, Cultivation In gardens ivy-leaved toadflax is planted as a groundcover, particularly on rocky slopes, and planted in wall cracks. Once established it will reproduce on its own, both from seeding and stems rooting themselves. == References ==