English Ivy (Hedera helix L) is an invasive plant native to Europe. It was introduced to the US as an ornamental groundcover but has spread widely. It thrives in moist, partially shaded soils and can climb trees and spread across the ground. English Ivy competes strongly with other plants by blocking sunlight and weakening trees. It has become a serious threat in forests and open areas across eastern US and parts of the west by aggressively invading all vegetation levels as an groundcover and canopy climber.

1. Invasive Weed Survey – nursing writers
Ming Cun Cheah4:20pmOur group non-native species is Ivy. Its scientific name is Hedera
helix L and its common name is common Ivy and English Ivy. Ivy is native to western,
central and southern Europe. 1) Areas that this plant occupies include deciduous forest
edges, woodlands,hedgerows, coastal areas, salt marsh edges, and other upland areas.
These areas have just the right soil type for English Ivy: wet, but not extremely wet.In its
habitat, English Ivy is usually surrounded by larger organisms that it can crawl
up. 2) English Ivy’s main interaction with other plants is the tree. With no
preference to what kind of tree it is, the ivy will climb to the top in order to be close to the
sunlight. After intense growth, the ivy eventually reaches a point where it blocks the tree’s
light completely. The tree is then weakened, and there is a tendency for trees in this
physical state to easily blow down during times of high precipitation and
winds. 3)English Ivy is known for its ability to climb to the top. Because it tends to
grow in shady, forested areas, it developed its ability to move up vertical surfaces to get
closer to the sun to complete photosynthesis and to spread across the ground for
nutrients. 4) 1) European colonists introduced English ivy as early as 1727. It is widely
planted for its evergreen foliage and dependability as a year-round “carefree” groundcover.
Although recognized as a serious weed of natural ecosystems, parks, landscapes and other
areas, it continues to be sold and marketed as an ornamental plant in the United
States. 2) English ivy is found throughout the eastern U.S. and in the West where it
occurs from Arizona to Washington State. It flourishes under shady to full sun conditions in
soils that are moderately fertile and moist but it is intolerant of drought and salinity.
Habitats invaded include forest openings and edges, fields, cliffs, steep slopes, and disturbed
areas. 3) Yes it has plenty of resources because English ivy is an aggressive invader
that threatens all vegetation levels of forested and open areas, growing along the ground as
well as into the forest canopy. 5) Citation : Tredwell, E. (n.d.).
Hedera helix (common ivy). Retrieved February 02, 2016, from
http://www.kew.org/science-conservation/plants-fungi/hedera-helix-common-ivy
Hitchins, A. (n.d.). Invasive Weed Survey Trip in the Arroyo Seco. Retrieved February 02,
2016, from http://www.natureathand.com/Main/NAHEssays_ArroyoSecoSurvey.htm
Johnson, B. (2011, November 11). English Ivy (Hedera helix). Retrieved February 02, 2016,
from http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/pubs/midatlantic/hehe.htm