Common ivy

Hedera helix
Adult leaves and fruit
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Apiales
Family:	Araliaceae
Genus:	Hedera
Species:	H. helix
Binomial name
Hedera helix L.

Common Ivy (Hedera helix) is a vine. It is evergreen - it does not lose its leaves in winter. Originally, the plant grew on the Macaronesian islands, but it spread through the Mediterranean and Europe to Asia. All parts of the plant are poisonous. It is often used as a decorative plant in gardens. Ivy is very important for ecology: its nectar and seeds are available when few other plants are. Sometimes ivy is considered to be an invasive species, esp. in North America.

Other websites

Media related to Hedera helix at Wikimedia Commons

• Hedera helix Archived 2012-04-15 at the Wayback Machine at Weedbusters (New Zealand)
• The Know Ivy League at the City of Portland, Park & Recreation Bureau website