English ivy • Hedera helix
Identification
English ivy is a fast-growing evergreen vine that is considered an aggressive invasive species in British Columbia. Leaves are alternate and leathery to the touch with shallow veins. Leaf size and shape can be quite variable, with lengths ranging from 4-10 cm. The adult growth form of this species exhibits flowers, berries and un-lobed (entire) leaves (right photo above). The leaves on the juvenile growth form are 3-5 lobed, and lobes can be shallow or deep (left photo).
English ivy often grows in thick mats on forest floors via trailing stems, or as a climbing shrub with stem heights reaching 30 m. Bases of older vines can appear quite tree-like, and be up to 5 cm thick. This species commonly lacks flowers, but if in bloom (typically in late spring), greenish-yellow spherical umbels appear at the tip of stems. Small (6-9 mm diameter) dark blue to black berries later develop.
Habitat and Range
English ivy was introduced from Eurasia. It thrives in moist to mesic soils. It is quite drought and shade tolerant, and can quickly smother and engulf trees and shrubs. English ivy is common in south west BC, including Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the lower mainland. The above photos were taken at an old homestead site near Keith’s anchorage on Calvert Island (below Telus Tower).
Human Uses
Although considered a serious and aggressive invasive species, and highly prone to escaping to natural areas, English ivy is commonly planted as an ornamental, to provide cover for building walls, fences or as a ground cover in large gardens.
Intriguing Information
English ivy produces saponins, and can poison livestock, dogs and humans. For individuals with sensitive skin, contact with the sap in the leaves and stems (typically during pruning) can cause rashes, or in more severe cases, blisters and lesions.
iNaturalist
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/55882-Hedera-helix
English ivy is a fast-growing evergreen vine that is considered an aggressive invasive species in British Columbia. Leaves are alternate and leathery to the touch with shallow veins. Leaf size and shape can be quite variable, with lengths ranging from 4-10 cm. The adult growth form of this species exhibits flowers, berries and un-lobed (entire) leaves (right photo above). The leaves on the juvenile growth form are 3-5 lobed, and lobes can be shallow or deep (left photo).
English ivy often grows in thick mats on forest floors via trailing stems, or as a climbing shrub with stem heights reaching 30 m. Bases of older vines can appear quite tree-like, and be up to 5 cm thick. This species commonly lacks flowers, but if in bloom (typically in late spring), greenish-yellow spherical umbels appear at the tip of stems. Small (6-9 mm diameter) dark blue to black berries later develop.
Habitat and Range
English ivy was introduced from Eurasia. It thrives in moist to mesic soils. It is quite drought and shade tolerant, and can quickly smother and engulf trees and shrubs. English ivy is common in south west BC, including Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the lower mainland. The above photos were taken at an old homestead site near Keith’s anchorage on Calvert Island (below Telus Tower).
Human Uses
Although considered a serious and aggressive invasive species, and highly prone to escaping to natural areas, English ivy is commonly planted as an ornamental, to provide cover for building walls, fences or as a ground cover in large gardens.
Intriguing Information
English ivy produces saponins, and can poison livestock, dogs and humans. For individuals with sensitive skin, contact with the sap in the leaves and stems (typically during pruning) can cause rashes, or in more severe cases, blisters and lesions.
iNaturalist
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/55882-Hedera-helix
References
Government of Canada (2013). Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System: English Ivy. Canadian Biodiversity Information Facility. Accessed 2016-03-04.
Hedera helix L. English Ivy. In Klinkenberg, Brian. (Ed.). E-Flora BC: Electronic Atlas of the Plants of British C-lumbia [eflora.bc.ca]. Lab for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Accessed on 2016-03-04.
Invasive Species Council of British Columbia (2014). English Ivy (Hedera helix). Accessed 2016-03-04.
Stein, Otto L., and Elizabeth B. Fosket. "Comparative Developmental Anatomy of Shoots Juvenile and Adult Hedera helix." American Journal of Botany (1969): 546-551.
Authors and editors of page
Bea Proudfoot and Kelly Fretwell (2016)
Government of Canada (2013). Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System: English Ivy. Canadian Biodiversity Information Facility. Accessed 2016-03-04.
Hedera helix L. English Ivy. In Klinkenberg, Brian. (Ed.). E-Flora BC: Electronic Atlas of the Plants of British C-lumbia [eflora.bc.ca]. Lab for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Accessed on 2016-03-04.
Invasive Species Council of British Columbia (2014). English Ivy (Hedera helix). Accessed 2016-03-04.
Stein, Otto L., and Elizabeth B. Fosket. "Comparative Developmental Anatomy of Shoots Juvenile and Adult Hedera helix." American Journal of Botany (1969): 546-551.
Authors and editors of page
Bea Proudfoot and Kelly Fretwell (2016)