The Old Forge (Wednesday 8th April 2020)

I've always admired this ubiquitous little wildflower growing in the cracks of rocks and stones and have photographed in churchyards, NT gardens and the like many times. I have attempted to grow it myself once or twice without success. Ivy-leaved toadflax (Cymbalaria muralis) has a number of common names including mother of thousands, wandering sailor and pennywort. My last attempt was when I found a lot of it growing in my friend C.'s garden in Melksham and blagged some of it. I thought I'd lost it a couple of times but after putting in a tub alongside a young plum tree it seems to have taken off.

According to Wikipedia, "this plant has an unusual method of propagation. The flower stalk is initially positively phototropic and moves towards the light. After fertilisation, it becomes negatively phototropic and moves away from the light. This results in seed being pushed into dark crevices of rock walls, where it is more likely to germinate." Native to Mediterranean Europe  it has become widely naturalised elsewhere.

With thanks to Miranda1008 for the Wildflower Week challenge, and to Freyjad and Cailleach for Wide Wednesday.

L.
8.4.2020 (2024 hr)

Sharper in Large (Gallery) view

Blip #3186 (#2936 + 250 archived blips taken 27.8.1960-18.3.2010)
Consecutive Blip #016
Blips/Extras In 2020 #37/265 + #024/100 Extras
Day #3666 (835 gaps from 26.3.2010)
LOTD #2315 (#2156 + 159 in archived blips)

Wildflowers series
Woodland Garden
Old Forge series
Gardens series
Flora series

Woodland Garden (April 2020) (Work in progress)

Taken with Pentax K-1 Mark II with Irix IL-11FF-PK 11mm F4 Firefly manual prime full-frame lens


Lozarhythm Of The Day:
Nick Drake - Pink Moon (recorded 30-31 October 1971, Chelsea, London)
The night of the super pink moon. This opened Nick Drake's final album and comprises him on vocal and guitar, with his own overdubbed piano.


One Year Ago:
The Old Forge (Borage)