Download Article 137 Updated List Hedera helix

Weeds in our Area (Part One Hundred and Thirty Seven)
By Bob and Ena McIntyre – Garden Route Region.
UPDATED WEED LIST – HEDERA HELIX (New Cat 3 - previously
X-list)
Hedera helix (Common/English Ivy) is a species of Ivy native to most of Europe, from Ireland
northeast to southern Scandinavia, south to Spain, and east to Ukraine and northern Turkey.
Ironically regarded as a noxious weed in parts of the world where it was introduced, in its
countries of origin it is highly valued for attracting wildlife - the flowers are visited by over 70
species of nectar-feeding insects; the berries are eaten by at least 16 species of birds, while the
foliage provides dense evergreen shelter, and is browsed by deer. It is widely cultivated as an
ornamental plant - within its native range over 30 cultivars have been selected for the variety of
attractive foliage colours that range from yellow to variegated and several shades of green.
Identification: Ivy is an evergreen climber, probably known to every gardener in our country. Used
extensively to cover unsightly walls, old tree-trunks, fences and of course hugely popular as an allpurpose groundcover for pavements especially. It climbs by means of aerial rootlets which cling to
the substrate. The leaves are alternate, 50–100 mm long, with a 15–20 mm stem; they are of two
types, with (palmate) five-lobed juvenile leaves on creeping
and climbing stems, and unlobed cordate adult leaves on
fertile flowering stems exposed to full sun. The flowers appear
from late summer to late autumn. Individual Flowers are small,
greenish-yellow in colour and
born in 3–5 cm diameter
umbels. The flowers are very
rich in nectar, and an
important late autumn food
source for bees and other insects. The purple-black to orangeyellow berries (6–8 mm diameter), ripen in late winter, and are an
important food for many birds, though mildly poisonous to
humans. There are one to five seeds in each berry, which are
dispersed by birds eating the berries. The leaves can cause contact dermatitis in people.
Invasive Status: Hedera helix is considered an invasive species in several countries other than
South Africa. Australia and the United States are experiencing serious difficulties. Ivy grows
densely and entirely chokes other plant growth leading to "ivy deserts". State and county
sponsored efforts are encouraging the destruction of Ivy in forests of the Pacific Northwest and
the Southern United States. In south-eastern Australia in particular, Hedera helix is considered a
noxious weed. In Oregon in the USA its sale or import is banned. Ivy easily escapes from gardens
(clippings discarded indiscriminately) and invade nearby forests and other natural areas. Locally
Ivy is often seen covering entire tree trunks, walls, hedges and embankments. Examples abound in
Wilderness village. Mature, dense ivy destroys the natural habitat for indigenous wildlife and
completely suppresses indigenous plants. Our new legislation proposes Hedera helix as a category
3 invasive species – regulated by activity.
Substitutes: Our indigenous species reward us with beautiful flowers. Senecio macroglossus –
looks exceptionally similar to Ivy and has glorious pale cream daisy-like flowers. Thunbergia alata
(Black-eyed Susan) comes in several colours and Jasminum multipartum (Wild Jasmine) has
beautiful dark green foliage and white fragrant star-shaped flowers.
Reference: www.wikipedia.org