Hedera helix

CONTROL

Family: Araliaceae (Ivy).

Other Common Names: None.

Origin: Eurasia.

Growth Form / Reproduction: Evergreen vine/shrub. Seeds dispersed by birds, also vegetatively by cuttings and rooting vines.

Legal Status: Community Charters Act.

Impacts:
Agricultural: No information available.
Ecological: Dense patches covering the ground shade and smother native plants and may introduce pathogens. The heavy weight of the arborescent forms can topple trees in wind storms.
Human: Grown as an ornamental plant. Poisonous if ingested.

Habitat: Forest floors and trees at low elevations; disturbed areas. Adapted to a wide range of conditions including drought, heat and wide pH range. Best adapted to moist, well-drained soils in part sun.

Status and Distribution: Present in all Coastal ISC Regional Districts. Widespread in Mount Waddington and Strathcona and common in remaining Regional Districts. Most common in the CDFmm, CWHvm and CWHxm; also present in the CWHvh.

Management Strategy: English Ivy has two growth stages, the juvenile form where is grows as a vine along the ground, the arborescent form where it forms thick woody stems and grows up into trees. The vines can be hand-pulled with difficulty; treatment must be repeated many times. The upper portions of arborescent forms can be killed by cutting above ground. All removed portions should be disposed of at landfills and not be composted. No biocontrol agents are available.