Plant Identification Learning Module:
Flowers and Foliage

English Ivy (Hedera helix)

The small, neat foliage of English ivy provides an excellent ground cover or it can be allowed to climb with its aerial roots firmly attaching to any rough-textured surface. The dark green or variegated leaves are produced in abundance along the rapidly growing but rarely branching stems. The mature leaves are simplealternatelobed and two to four inches in length. Juvenile leaves do not have lobes. White flowers in round clusters appear in the fall. The round fruit is inconspicuous and is less than 1/2 inch in diameter.


English ivy on red brick wall
Photo by and © 2007 Derek Ramsey. This photo is also licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0.

English ivy as ground cover
Purdue

English ivy foliage
(cc) 2008, Alain Jotterand. This photo is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0.