Notes:

• AKA common ivy

• Hedera = to get, grasp

• originally occurred throughout the British Isles and Europe, as well as parts of northern Africa and western Asia (therefore invasive in NA)

• Synonyms include Hedera acuta, Hedera arborea ("tree ivy"), Hedera baccifera, Hedera grandifolia, bindwood, and lovestone

• birds eat the berries and spread it

• Greek and Roman custom held that the plant was sacred to the god of wine, Dionysus (or Bacchus), who is often represented with a wreath of ivy around his head

• The plant was widely used in pagan times in association with the winter solstice being linked to celtic godesses

• A study at Oxford University found that where walls were not properly constructed, or the masonry was unsound, in disrepair or weak, ivy found its way into cracks and crevices by its aerial roots. Where masonry was in good condition the plant served as protection for the masonry from temperature extremes and moisture. Ivy can be safely taken off of walls leaving them intact

• Clinging evergreen vine

  • climbs by aerial rootlets with matted pads

  • Hedera helix prefers non-reflective, darker and rough surfaces with near-neutral pH

  • attachment starting as adventitious roots growing along the stem make contact with the surface and extend root hairs

  • These tiny hairs grow into any small crevices available, secrete glue-like nanoparticles, and lignify. As they dry out, the hairs shrink and curl, effectively pulling the root closer to the surface

• Ivy extracts are part of current cough medicines