Invasive Species:Invasive Species:English IvyEnglish Ivy

By: Dustin RhodesBy: Dustin Rhodes

Maiden NameMaiden Name

HederaHedera helix helix

http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/animalsAndPlants/noxious-weeds/weed-animalsAndPlants/noxious-weeds/weed-

identification/english-ivy.aspxidentification/english-ivy.aspx

IntroductionIntroduction English Ivy was introduced into our area from English Ivy was introduced into our area from

Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa .Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa .

http://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/hehe1.htmhttp://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/hehe1.htm

Introduced (cont.)Introduced (cont.)

They believe that English Ivy was probably 1They believe that English Ivy was probably 1stst introduced into our area by European introduced into our area by European Immigrants for there ornamental appeal.Immigrants for there ornamental appeal.

DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATESSTATES

English ivy has been reported to be invasive in English ivy has been reported to be invasive in natural areas in 18 states and the District of natural areas in 18 states and the District of Columbia.Columbia.

http://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/http://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/hehe1.htmhehe1.htm

Distribution (cont.) Distribution (cont.)

HabitatHabitat

English ivy infests woodlands, forest edges, English ivy infests woodlands, forest edges, fields, hedgerows, coastal areas, salt marsh fields, hedgerows, coastal areas, salt marsh edges, and other upland areas, especially edges, and other upland areas, especially where some soil moisture is present. where some soil moisture is present.

http://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/http://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/hehe1.htmhehe1.htm

Habitat (cont.)Habitat (cont.)

English Ivy is usually not found in many wet places.English Ivy is usually not found in many wet places.

http://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/hehe1.htmhttp://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/hehe1.htm

DescriptionDescription

English ivy is an evergreen climbing vine that English ivy is an evergreen climbing vine that attaches to the bark of trees, brickwork, and attaches to the bark of trees, brickwork, and other surfaces by way of small root like other surfaces by way of small root like structures which gives off a sticky substance structures which gives off a sticky substance that helps the vines stick to surfaces.that helps the vines stick to surfaces.

http://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/http://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/hehe1.htmhehe1.htm

Description (cont.)Description (cont.)

Older vines have been reported to reach 1 foot Older vines have been reported to reach 1 foot in diameter. Leaves are dark green with white in diameter. Leaves are dark green with white veins, waxy to somewhat leathery, and veins, waxy to somewhat leathery, and arranged alternately along the stem.arranged alternately along the stem.

http://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/hehe1.http://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/hehe1.htmhtm

Description (cont.)Description (cont.)

Vines could grow up past 10 years before they Vines could grow up past 10 years before they might produce a flower.might produce a flower.

http://www.nps.gov/plantshttp://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/hehe1.htm/ALIEN/fact/hehe1.htm

Description (cont.)Description (cont.)

The flowers of the English Ivy attract bees and The flowers of the English Ivy attract bees and flies in the late season nectar sources.flies in the late season nectar sources.

http://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/http://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/hehe1.htmhehe1.htm

Harm to EnvironmentHarm to Environment

English ivy is a fast growing vine that impacts English ivy is a fast growing vine that impacts all levels of disturbed and undisturbed forested all levels of disturbed and undisturbed forested areas, growing both as a ground cover and a areas, growing both as a ground cover and a climbing vine climbing vine

http://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/http://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/hehe1.htmhhehe1.htmh

Harm to the Env. (cont.)Harm to the Env. (cont.)

As the ivy climbs in search of increased light, As the ivy climbs in search of increased light, it engulfs and kills branches by blocking light it engulfs and kills branches by blocking light from reaching the host tree’s leaves. Branch from reaching the host tree’s leaves. Branch dieback proceeds from the lower to upper dieback proceeds from the lower to upper branches.branches.

http://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/http://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/hehe1.htmhehe1.htm

Harm to Env. (cont.)Harm to Env. (cont.)

The host tree eventually succumbs entirely The host tree eventually succumbs entirely from this insidious and steady weakening. In from this insidious and steady weakening. In addition, the added weight of the vines makes addition, the added weight of the vines makes infested trees much more susceptible to blow-infested trees much more susceptible to blow-over during high rain and wind events and over during high rain and wind events and heavy snowfalls. heavy snowfalls.

http://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/http://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/hehe1.htmhehe1.htm

Harm to Env. (cont.)Harm to Env. (cont.)

When English Ivy forms on the ground it can When English Ivy forms on the ground it can engulf and restrict all of the other native plants engulf and restrict all of the other native plants that grow.that grow.

http://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/http://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/hehe1.htmhehe1.htm

ManagementManagement

Manual, mechanical and chemical control Manual, mechanical and chemical control methods are all effective in removing and methods are all effective in removing and killing English ivy. killing English ivy.

http://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/http://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/hehe1.htmhehe1.htm

Management (cont.)Management (cont.)

Whenever possible and especially for vines Whenever possible and especially for vines climbing up trees or buildings, a combination climbing up trees or buildings, a combination of cutting followed by application of of cutting followed by application of concentrated systemic herbicide to rooted, concentrated systemic herbicide to rooted, living cut surfaces is likely to be the most living cut surfaces is likely to be the most effective approach. effective approach.

http://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/http://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/hehe1.htmhehe1.htm

Management (cont.)Management (cont.)

For large infestations of ivy spanning For large infestations of ivy spanning extensive areas of ground, a foliar herbicide extensive areas of ground, a foliar herbicide may be the best choice rather than manual or may be the best choice rather than manual or mechanical means which could result in soil mechanical means which could result in soil disturbance. disturbance.

http://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/http://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/hehe1.htmhehe1.htm

Works CitedWorks Cited

““English Ivy” 7 April, 2009. English Ivy” 7 April, 2009. http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/animhttp://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/animalsAndPlants/noxious-weeds/weed-identificatialsAndPlants/noxious-weeds/weed-identification/english-ivy.aspxon/english-ivy.aspx

““English Ivy” 3 April, 2009. English Ivy” 3 April, 2009. http://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/hehe1.http://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/hehe1.htmhtm