Scientific Name(s)

Hedera helix

Ivy

Common Name

Ivy Other: Bentwood, Bindwood, Hibbin, Ivin, Ivery, Lovestone.

Type

Perennial climber or groundcover.

Description

Persistent vigorous perennial evergreen. Has underground roots, aerial shoots. Flowers in October non descript. Black berries ripen in spring. Attractive to birds. Lobed mature It has two distinct stages. The juvenile lobed leaf grows until it has reached a great height. There is then produced upright stems bearing oval unlobed leaves. Leaves evergreen

Habitat

Walls, trees in town, woodland, gardens.

Folklore

Believed to have magical powers that kept demons at bay. Milk drunk in a ivy wood cup, was said to cure whooping cough.

Soil Type

All

Soil Fertility

Good

Soil Moisture

Except very dry or waterlogged.

Soil pH

Acid

Sunlight

Full sun

Success

The seeds are very attractive to birds and are widely dispersed. Its aerial roots produce a cement like substance which helps it to cling to buildings and trees. Spreads also by underground rooting.

Importance

A persistent and damaging weed of walls. May topple old trees.

Cultural Control

Sever near to the ground.

Chemical Control

Treat with (3.2.3) after cutting. On walls (3.2.3) in winter.

Information Collated by James M. Burton as part of H.N.D. Course at Pencoed Agricultural College.
Chemical Information Correct as of 06:06:97. Always read and follow the instruction when using herbicides.