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Cymbalaria muralis - P.Gaertn.B.Mey.&Scherb.

Common Name Kenilworth Ivy
Family Scrophulariaceae
USDA hardiness 3-7
Known Hazards The plant might be slightly toxic[76]
Habitats Walls and other well-drained sites, shady rocks and woods, usually on calcareous soils[17, 50].
Range S. Europe. Naturalized in Britain.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade
Cymbalaria muralis Kenilworth Ivy


Cymbalaria muralis Kenilworth Ivy
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6d/Cymbalaria_muralis_Sturm21.jpg

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Cymbalaria muralis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to September, and the seeds ripen from July to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Linaria cymbalaria.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; North Wall. In. East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Leaves - raw[4, 115, 177]. The leaves have been used in salads, being acrid and pungent like cress[4]. We find them rather bitter and not very pleasant, though they are available all year round and so might be useful in the winter[K]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiscorbutic  Vulnerary

The herb is antiscorbutic and vulnerary[4, 7]. It is used externally as a poultice on fresh wounds to stop the bleeding[7]. There are reports that it has been used with success in India for the treatment of diabetes[4, 240].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye

A clear yellow dye is obtained from the flowers, though it is not very permanent[4, 115].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a moderately good soil and some shade[1]. Plants usually self-sow freely[188] and can be invasive, especially when grown on old walls[200]. They succeed both on dry-stone walls and on old mortared walls[219].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - surface sow March to June in a cold frame and do not exclude light. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 4 weeks at 18°c[164]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. Division in late spring. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

EUROPE: Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Italy (incl. Sicily), Montenegro, Slovenia

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

P.Gaertn.B.Mey.&Scherb.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

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Subject : Cymbalaria muralis  
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