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Ivy-leaved Toadflax

©Katrina Martin/2020VISION

Ivy-leaved toadflax

Scientific name: Cymbalaria muralis
Ivy-leaved toadflax is an introduced species in the UK that has become widely naturalised. Look for creeping along old walls and pavements, and shingle beaches. Its flowers resemble those of snapdragons.

Species information

Statistics

Height: up to 8cm

Conservation status

Introduced, but naturalised species.

When to see

January to December

About

Ivy-leaved toadflax is not a native species to the UK, but is now considered naturalised, having been here for several hundred years. It is a small, perennial herb that is often found growing in cracks in old walls and pavements, in rocky places and even on single beaches; it can form large, low-growing patches.
Its tiny, mauve flowers resemble those of a snapdragon.

How to identify

The small, green leaves of ivy-leaved toadflax are ivy-like in shape, hence the name. Its tiny flowers resemble a snapdragon and are mauve with white and yellow bulges. It has reddish stems and is a creeping plant.

Distribution

Widespread.

Habitats

Did you know?

It is thought that ivy-leaved toadflax was introduced before the 17th century as a garden plant; it was first recorded in the wild in 1640.