English ivy: Hedera helix (Apiales: Araliaceae) - Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem

English ivy	USDA PLANTS SYMBOL: HEHE
Hedera helix L.
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.

Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources

A Field Guide for the Identification of Invasive Plants in Southern Forests - USDA Forest Service
Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council Invasive Plant Manual - SE-EPPC
Weeds Gone Wild: Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas - Plant Conservation Alliance
Weed of the Week - USDA Forest Service
Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas - National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Selected Images from Invasive.org

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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