Mares-y-dotes 'n dozy dotes

There are still some ivy flowers remaining, like green pincushions. I'm also still fascinated by the geometric growth patterns of ivy, and continue to plan doing a post about it sometime on my blog.

I'm also pondering this question: if ivy thrives here in the Midi, but also in Wales and up north generally; if it reproduces prolifically; if it grows so fast; if nothing much eats it (except little lambs in the nonsense rhyme); if it can climb up walls and trees to great heights - why hasn't it completely taken over the world?