Family: Araliaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 202 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Hedera
Vegetable: Unknown
Observations: Europe to W. & N. Türkiye
Description
Ivy, scientifically known as Hedera helix, is a robust climbing plant native to a vast region stretching from Europe to Western and Northern Türkiye. This resilient plant is renowned for its evergreen foliage and versatile growth habits, making it a popular choice for both ornamental and practical uses in gardens and urban landscapes.
Belonging to the Araliaceae family, ivy thrives in a variety of environments. It is particularly valued for its ability to cover walls, trellises, and tree trunks, creating lush green blankets that provide aesthetic appeal while also serving ecological functions. Its dense canopy offers shelter to a variety of wildlife, including birds and insects, thus contributing to local biodiversity.
Hedera helix exhibits distinctive, lobed leaves that are typically dark green with light veins running through them. The plant’s capacity for vigorous growth and its ability to adapt to different light conditions—from full sun to deep shade—adds to its appeal as a garden staple. Ivy can also be used as ground cover to prevent soil erosion and suppress weeds, making it a functional choice for managing landscapes.
First formally described in 1753 in “Species Plantarum” by the eminent botanist Carl Linnaeus (abbreviated as L.), Hedera helix has been extensively studied and cultivated for centuries. Despite its many positive attributes, it is important to manage ivy cultivation carefully, as it can become invasive under certain conditions, outcompeting native plant species and disrupting local ecosystems.
Given its storied history and widespread use, ivy remains a significant plant in horticulture and ecological management. Whether enhancing the visual appeal of a garden or serving functional ecological roles, Hedera helix continues to be a plant of considerable interest and utility.
Common Names
Dan: almindelig vedbend, vedbend
Deu: efeu, gewöhnlicher efeu
Eng: english ivy, ivy, common ivy, european ivy
Por: hedera-variegata, hera
Nld: klimop
Fra: lierre, lierre commun
Swe: murgröna
Cym: iorwg
Gla: eidheann, eidhinn, gort
En: Ivy, English ivy, Common Ivy, Efeu, European ivy, Bind Wood
Af: Gweone klimop
Ar: عشقة متسلقة
Hy: Բաղեղ սովորական
Az: Adi daşsarmaşığı
Eu: Huntz arrunt
Be: Плюшч звычайны
Bg: Обикновен бръшлян
Ca: Heura, Gedra, Hedra
Zh: 常春藤
Kw: Idhyow
Hr: Bršljan
Cs: Břečťan popínavý
Da: Almindelig Vedbend, Vedbend
Nl: Klimop, Gewone Klimop
Eo: Helica hedero
Et: Harilik luuderohi
Fi: Muratti, Varjomuratti, Euroopanmuratti
Fr: Lierre, Lierre commun, Lierre grimpant, Drienne, Herbe de saint Jean, Lierret, Rondelette, Rondette, Rondote, Terette, Bourreau-des-arbres
Gl: Hedra
Ka: Ჩვეულებრივი სურო
De: Efeu, Gewöhnlicher Efeu, Baumefeu, Ebich, Gemeiner Efeu
El: Χέδερα ή έλιξ
He: קיסוס החורש
Hu: Közönséges borostyán
Is: Bergflétta
It: Edera, Edera comune
Ko: 아이비
Li: Wintjergreun
Lt: Gebenė lipikė
Lb: Gewéinlecht Wantergréng
Mk: Бршлен
No: Bergflette, Eføy
Fa: عشقه
Pl: Bluszcz pospolity
Pt: Hera, Hedera-variegata
Ro: Iederă
Ru: Плющ обыкновенный
Sc: Edra
Gd: Eidheann, Eidhinn, Gort
Sr: Бршљан
Sk: Brečtan popínavý
Es: Hiedra., Navadni bršljan, Hiedra común, Yedra, Llanku, Hiedra
Sv: Murgröna
Zh-tw: 常春藤
Tr: Duvar sarmaşığı
Ug: ھەشقىپۈچەك
Uk: Плющ звичайний
Vi: Dây thường xuân
Cy: Iorwg
Synonyms
- Hedera communis (Gray)
- Hedera poetica (Salisb.)
- Hedera helix var. vulgaris (DC.)
Distribution
- Albania (native)
- Austria (native)
- Baleares (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- Corse (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- East Aegean Is. (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Italy (native)
- Kriti (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- New South Wales (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Norway (native)
- Poland (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Queensland (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- South Australia (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Victoria (native)
- Western Australia (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Alabama (introduced)
- Argentina Northeast (introduced)
- Argentina Northwest (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- Illinois (introduced)
- Juan Fernández Is. (introduced)
- Kentucky (introduced)
- Maryland (introduced)
- Morocco (introduced)
- New Mexico (introduced)
- New York (introduced)
- New Zealand North (introduced)
- New Zealand South (introduced)
- Oregon (introduced)
- Tasmania (introduced)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Fruit
Taken Jan 10, 2019 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 13, 2020 by Mary Mary (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 19, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 13, 2020 by Mary Mary (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 10, 2019 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Dec 17, 2021 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 25, 2022 by cscoq (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 16, 2017 by Tela Botanica − _ (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 14, 2017 by Marcos Rivas Campoamor (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 19, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Jan 2, 2020 by Chiodaroli Federico (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 24, 2022 by Rvt 063 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 25, 2017 by Irene Rex (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 28, 2017 by Yassir Hafidi (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 30, 2019 by Chad Davis (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Nov 19, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 15, 2022 by Jim Knopf (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 19, 2021 by gilles collin (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 19, 2021 by gilles collin (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 21, 2017 by Marcos Rivas Campoamor (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Feb 25, 2022 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 30, 2022 by Lars Mannzen (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 1, 2021 by Daniel SOTTY (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 25, 2022 by Ernst Fürst (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 25, 2022 by cscoq (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken May 19, 2019 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 8, 2017 by tourvieille (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 7, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 9, 2019 by philippe angibaud (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 30, 2019 by Sepp (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:90723-1)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/8351737)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Hedera helix L.)