Cymbalaria muralis

What to Eat

Edible parts: Leaves

The leaves can be eaten raw in salads. They are acrid and pungent in a manner similar to cress, though they can also be noticeably bitter and not especially pleasant. They are available year-round, which may make them a useful option in winter. Some caution is advised given the notes on toxicity.

Known Hazards

Where to Find It

It is a temperate plant. It often grows in cracks in old buildings. It can grow in sun or shade. They have drought tolerance once established. It is resistant to frost. It suits hardiness zones 3-10. Tasmania Herbarium.

Antilles, Argentina, Australia, Britain, Canada, Chile, Europe*, France, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Middle East, New Zealand, Norway, North America, Portugal, San Marino, Scandinavia, Slovenia, South America, Spain, St Helena, Tasmania, Uruguay,

How to Identify

A small herb. Stems form roots as they spread. It grows 5 cm high and spreads 20-50 cm wide. They leaves are rounded to kidney shaped. They are 12 mm long and have 5-9 lobes. The flowers have 5 petals and are purple with a yellow throat. They are 12 mm wide.

How to Grow

Prefers a moderately good soil and some shade. Plants usually self-sow freely and can be invasive, especially when grown on old walls. They succeed both on dry-stone walls and on old mortared walls.

Propagation: Surface sow seed from March to June in a cold frame without excluding light. Germination typically takes 2–4 weeks at 18°C. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle and plant out into permanent positions in summer. Divide in late spring — larger clumps can go directly into permanent positions, while smaller clumps are better potted up and grown on in a cold frame until rooting well, then planted out in spring.

Medicinal Uses

The herb is antiscorbutic and vulnerary. It is used externally as a poultice on fresh wounds to stop bleeding. There are also reports of it being used successfully in India for the treatment of diabetes.

Other Uses

A clear yellow dye is obtained from the flowers, though it is not very permanent.

Cymbalaria muralis, commonly called ivy-leaved toadflax, is a low, spreading, trailing plant with small purple flowers, native to rocky habitats in southern Europe. It belongs to the plantain family (Plantaginaceae), and is introduced and naturalised in many other temperate locations. 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, Kenilworth ivy, mother of thousands, Oxford ivy, and wandering sailor.

Notes

There are 10 Cymbalaria species.

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