English ivy

Hedera helix L.

Description from Invasive.org

Appearance
Hedera helix is an evergreen perennial climbing vine that attaches to bark of trees, brickwork and other surfaces by root-like structures that exude a glue-like substance to aid in adherence.
Foliage
Leaves are alternate, dark green, waxy, somewhat leathery; extremely variable leaf forms, from unlobed to 3-5 lobed; typically green with whitish veins.
Flowers
Flowering occurs in late summer to early fall, typically under full sun conditions; flowers are small, greenish-yellow and occur in globular starburst type inflorescence at tips of flowering stems.
Fruit
Fruits are black with a fleshy outer layer and stone-like seeds. New plants grow easily from cuttings or stem fragments that make contact with the soil.
Ecological Threat
Hedera helix is an aggressive invader threatening all levels of forested and open areas, growing along the ground as well as into the forest canopy. Vines climb up tree trunks and envelop branches and twigs, blocking sunlight from the host tree’s foliage, impeding photosynthesis. An infested tree will exhibit decline for years before it dies. The weight of vines also makes trees susceptible to blowing over in storms. This plant has been confirmed as a reservoir for bacterial leaf scorch (Xylella fastidiosa), which affects a wide variety of trees.

Resources


Selected Images from Invasive.org

View All Images at Invasive.org


Flower(s) bee visiting flowers
Forest and Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Twig(s)/Shoot(s) young stem in July
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Fruit(s) fruits
Forest and Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Flower(s) July
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Fruit(s) in January
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Twig(s)/Shoot(s) July
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Foliage Foliage climbing pine tree in September
Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Foliage leaves in July
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Infestation
Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Infestation
Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Infestation
Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Seed(s)
Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Feature(s) Vine
Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Infestation Invading roadside park in September
Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Foliage leaves
Forest and Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Infestation
Nancy Dagley, USDI National Park Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Infestation
Nancy Dagley, USDI National Park Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

Distribution