Ivy-leaved toadfloax (Cymbalaria muralis)

This flower has been growing in our garden walls for ages...It has a very small blossom but it can grow with virtually no soil... I 've been looking for the name and I found out that it is Cymbalaria muralis (Scrophulariaceae family) or commonly known as ivy-leaved toadfloax or Kenilworth ivy (χιλιομάννα, άγριο σκυλάκι). The name of the genus "Cymbalaria" is derived from the greek word "kymbalon" that means cymbal and refers to the shape of the leaves and muralis describes it characteristic to grow on walls. So, one cannot argue that is has a very descriptive name...

It is native to southwestern Europe and it is evergreen. The flowers resemble small snapdragon flowers and are tiny with a yellow centre and purplish petals. One interesting feature the flowers have is that in the beggining the move towards light but after they are fertilised they start moving away from it. In this way the seeds are being pushed in dark places where it is more likely for them to germinate.