Ivy
Hedera helix
family
Araliaceae
origin
Exotic
declaration
NIL
For information only
Common names
Ivy, Common ivy, English ivy, Needlepoint ivy, Ripple ivy.
A climber or creeper that may occasionally become somewhat shrubby with age. Its stems are somewhat woody and produce short aerial roots that attach to supporting structures. Its leaves (3-15 cm long and 3-10 cm wide) are either shallowly 3-5 lobed or entire. These leaves have dark green and glossy upper surfaces that are sometimes variegated with white or cream. Its tiny five yellowish-green flowers are arranged in clusters, with all of the flower stalks emanating from the same point. Its rounded fruit (5-10 mm across) resembles a berry and turns from green to dull bluish-purple or black as it matures.
Impact
Impact
Ivy (Hedera helix) is regarded as a significant environmental weed in Victoria, the ACT, South Australia, New South Wales and Tasmania. It is listed as a priority environmental weed in five Natural Resource Management regions and is actively managed by community groups in Victoria and Tasmania. This species prefers moist sheltered areas and is extremely tolerant of deep shade. It spreads rapidly, blanketing the ground in a thick mat of vegetation. This excludes light, eventually choking out other species and preventing their germination. Ivy (Hedera helix) also grows thickly up over tall tress and shrubs, smothering them and even causing them to fall over under its weight.
Location
Location
Characteristics
Characteristics
Similar Species
Similar Species
Ivy (Hedera helix) is regarded as a significant environmental weed in Victoria, the ACT, South Australia, New South Wales and Tasmania. It is listed as a priority environmental weed in five Natural Resource Management regions and is actively managed by community groups in Victoria and Tasmania. This species prefers moist sheltered areas and is extremely tolerant of deep shade. It spreads rapidly, blanketing the ground in a thick mat of vegetation. This excludes light, eventually choking out other species and preventing their germination. Ivy (Hedera helix) also grows thickly up over tall tress and shrubs, smothering them and even causing them to fall over under its weight.
