Hedera helix/NJ

Taxonomy

Domain	Eukarya
Kingdom	Plantae
Phylum	Magnoliophyta
Class	Magnoliopsida
Superorder	Asteranae
Order	Apiales
Family	Araliaceae
Genus	Hedera

Scientific Name

Hedera helix

Common Name

English ivy

Common Name: English ivy
Family Name: Araliaceae - Ginseng family
Native Range: Eurasia
NJ Status: Emerging Stage 3 – Common (may be regionally abundant). It is highly threatening native plant communities.

General Description

• Perennial, climbing, evergreen vine or groundcover
• Climbs using small, sticky root-like structures
• Can smother shrubs and trees
• Older vines can grow to 1” in diameter
NOTE: English ivy serves as a reservoir for Bacterial Leaf Scorch (Xylella fastidiosa), a pathogen that is harmful to elms, oaks, maples and other native plants.

Leaves

• Alternate, dark green with white veins
• Waxy or leathery
• No toothing on edges
• Usually 3 - 5 lobes per leaf - leaves may appear triangular
• Mature, flowering plants may have unlobed rounded or heart shaped leaves
• Many cultivars are available making leaf color variable- may be edged in white, reddish, or yellowish

Flowers

• Small, pale yellow-green
• Borne on terminal clusters
• Blooms August - September
• Flowering triggered by sunlight (often requires climbing to flower)
• Vines may grow for up to 10 years before flowering

Fruit

• Black to purple fruits
• Thin fleshy outer covering
• 1 - 3 hard seeds
• Ripening October - November

Habitat

• Forest, edge, field, coastal area, garden
• Prefers drier sites
• Highly invasive in warmer climates

Commercially Available

Yes

Look-alikes

Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata)

• Highly invasive climbing vine or groundcover
• Deciduous- reddish fall color
• Leaves are bright, glossy green
• Toothed edge
• See NJISST fact sheet for more on this plant

poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans)

• Native deciduous vine
• White berries
• Leaves in groups of 3, may have reddish tinge
• Hairy stems

Control Recommendations

Foliar Spray: FS-1

• Glyphosate 3.75%, Triclopyr Amine 2.50%
• Please see our Herbicide Use Suggestions and Mixing Guide for more information

Basal Bark: BB-1

• Triclopyr Ester 25% OR Pathfinder II ready-to-use mixture
• Please see our Herbicide Use Suggestions and Mixing Guide for more information
• Pre-treatment cutting is recommended when tall/dense/multi-stem tangles prohibit safe application via foliar spray
• Species has thick/waxy leaves -- utlilize Clean Cut surfactant or equivalent