English ivy

Apiales > Araliaceae > Hedera helix L.
English ivy is an evergreen vine that can grow to 100 ft. (30.5 m) in length. Leaves are dark-green and waxy with palmate veins. Leaf shape is very variable, but commonly occurs as a 3-5 lobed leaf with a heart-shaped base. Flowering (maturity) is triggered by sunlight, such as when the vines climb into taller vegetation. In the late summer mature plants produce terminal clusters of greenish-yellow flowers. Fruits are black and fleshy. English ivy can invade woodlands, fields and other upland areas and is spread by runners. Seeds can also be spread by birds. It can grow both along the ground, where it can displace native understory species, and in the tree canopy, often covering branches and slowly killing trees. English ivy is native to Europe and was introduced into North America by early settlers for ornamental purposes. It continues to be widely planted as an ornamental.

Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources

  • Weed of the Week - USDA Forest Service
    http://www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/invasive_plants/weeds/english-ivy.pdf - Nov 7, 2006

Selected Images

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Number:5162046
Description: Foliage; leaves
Photographer:Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:1237027
Description: Foliage; Foliage climbing pine tree in September
Photographer:Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:9005071
Description: Foliage; leaves in July
Photographer:James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service
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Number:2125048
Description: Feature(s); Vine
Photographer:Chris Evans, River to River CWMA
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Number:2307146
Description: Flower(s); July
Photographer:James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:5159060
Description: Flower(s); bee visiting flowers
Photographer:Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:5236006
Description: Flower(s);
Photographer:Richard Old, XID Services, Inc.
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Number:9005069
Description: Fruit(s); in January
Photographer:James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:5159061
Description: Fruit(s); fruits
Photographer:Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:9005075
Description: Twig(s)/Shoot(s); young stem in July
Photographer:James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service
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Number:2307149
Description: Twig(s)/Shoot(s); July
Photographer:James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service
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Number:1346053
Description: Infestation;
Photographer:Chris Evans, River to River CWMA
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Number:1346062
Description: Infestation;
Photographer:Chris Evans, River to River CWMA
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Number:1346064
Description: Infestation;
Photographer:Chris Evans, River to River CWMA
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Number:2308025
Description: Infestation; Invading roadside park in September
Photographer:Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia
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Number:5344053
Description: Infestation;
Photographer:Nancy Fraley, USDI National Park Service
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Number:5344054
Description: Infestation;
Photographer:Nancy Fraley, USDI National Park Service
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Number:5307052
Description: Seed(s);
Photographer:Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 

External Links

Invasive Reference(s)

Subject Reference(s)

  • USDA, NRCS. 2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1, National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA. - http://plants.usda.gov/