Photographs: Macroom, Co. Cork

Ivy-leaved Toadflax Cymbalaria muralis Buaflíon balla Family: Scrophulariaceae Flowering time: May-September. Perennial. Introduced. Solitary lilac-mauve flowers with yellow patch on lower lip followed by wrinkled seeds. White-flowered forms can occur. The 5-lobed leaves are ivy-shaped, green with purple tinge and hairless. Stems are weak, trailing or creeping and rooting at the nodes. Spread: 10-30cm can be frequent in cracks on old walls, pavements, gardens and occasionally on rocks.

Ivy-leaved Toadflax, Cymbalaria muralis, Lus lín an fhalla