Fachwen

Ivy Leaved Toadflax near Fachwen

Ivy-leaved toadflax or Kenilworth Ivy (Cymbalaria muralis) is a flowering plant native to Mediterranean Europe and widely naturalised elsewhere. It spreads quickly and 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.

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.