English Ivy
Place of Origin: Europe and Western Asia
Place of Harm: Pacific and Atlantic seaboard states
First Introduced: 1727
Harms: native trees/plants, humans (if consumed)
Other Names: European ivy, ivy
Taxonomy: Apiales, Araliaceae
English Ivy is an evergreen perennial vine first introduced by the early settlers as a way to “remember their homeland” (as an ornamental). It can climb to 100 ft. It can be found in open forests and urban areas, climbing up walls of buildings, fences, gardens, and trees. It can either climb or form a dense cover over the ground. It prefers shade and moist conditions but can survive in most; it does not, however, grow well in saturated areas. There are over 400 cultivars. The problem with ivy is that it aggressively climbs all over walls, fences, gardens, etc., and can grow to choke out trees and other plants by blocking sunlight and taking all water and nutrients. Small trees may topple due to the weight of the ivy on top. Ivy rootlets can stain brick and will rip apart wooden walls. Despite this, it is still widely sold and bought by homeowners who want its year-round foliage; however, it can easily escape if not monitored. Ivy is also a vector for leaf scorch bacterium (Xylella fastidiosa), which harms many native species, like maples, oaks, and elms. Also, the leaves and berries contain the glycoside hederin, which may cause toxicosis if ingested. Individual vines can be hand-pulled when the soil is moist. Groundcover vines can be raked and gathered, and left to rot. For climbing vines, cut the vines a few feet from the ground to kill the top section; then, apply a systemic herbicide to the lower portions, right where the cuts are; this will kill the plant in about a week, if the temperatures are above 60 F. Foliar herbicides are good choices for huge infestations. Herbicides should be used in fall or winter as to avoid harming other plants. Triclopyr is selective, so use it for intermingled patches. Mulching can follow herbicide treatment. Avoid damaging the tree trunk as much as possible. Ivy reproduces with vegetative propagation in its early years. It grows very rapidly. Once it has climbed at least one surface (rootlets grow like hairs on the vine and excrete a glue) and is mature, it will start developing seed; flowers appear from June to October, and berries ripen from October to May. The berries are eaten by birds and spread through droppings; seeds have 70% germination rate. Ivy can also reproduce through fragmentation. Ivy is used in landscaping and is an effective, fast-growing groundcover that requires little attention. It is also purposely put on ancient buildings to add a rustic feel. However, taking it back off will result in markings from the rootlets. For wildlife, the berries are food, the flowers are nectar sources, and the vines are cover. Ivy extracts are used for cough medicine. Hedera is ivy; helix is Greek for twist/turn.
Place of Origin: Europe and Western Asia
Place of Harm: Pacific and Atlantic seaboard states
First Introduced: 1727
Harms: native trees/plants, humans (if consumed)
Other Names: European ivy, ivy
Taxonomy: Apiales, Araliaceae
English Ivy is an evergreen perennial vine first introduced by the early settlers as a way to “remember their homeland” (as an ornamental). It can climb to 100 ft. It can be found in open forests and urban areas, climbing up walls of buildings, fences, gardens, and trees. It can either climb or form a dense cover over the ground. It prefers shade and moist conditions but can survive in most; it does not, however, grow well in saturated areas. There are over 400 cultivars. The problem with ivy is that it aggressively climbs all over walls, fences, gardens, etc., and can grow to choke out trees and other plants by blocking sunlight and taking all water and nutrients. Small trees may topple due to the weight of the ivy on top. Ivy rootlets can stain brick and will rip apart wooden walls. Despite this, it is still widely sold and bought by homeowners who want its year-round foliage; however, it can easily escape if not monitored. Ivy is also a vector for leaf scorch bacterium (Xylella fastidiosa), which harms many native species, like maples, oaks, and elms. Also, the leaves and berries contain the glycoside hederin, which may cause toxicosis if ingested. Individual vines can be hand-pulled when the soil is moist. Groundcover vines can be raked and gathered, and left to rot. For climbing vines, cut the vines a few feet from the ground to kill the top section; then, apply a systemic herbicide to the lower portions, right where the cuts are; this will kill the plant in about a week, if the temperatures are above 60 F. Foliar herbicides are good choices for huge infestations. Herbicides should be used in fall or winter as to avoid harming other plants. Triclopyr is selective, so use it for intermingled patches. Mulching can follow herbicide treatment. Avoid damaging the tree trunk as much as possible. Ivy reproduces with vegetative propagation in its early years. It grows very rapidly. Once it has climbed at least one surface (rootlets grow like hairs on the vine and excrete a glue) and is mature, it will start developing seed; flowers appear from June to October, and berries ripen from October to May. The berries are eaten by birds and spread through droppings; seeds have 70% germination rate. Ivy can also reproduce through fragmentation. Ivy is used in landscaping and is an effective, fast-growing groundcover that requires little attention. It is also purposely put on ancient buildings to add a rustic feel. However, taking it back off will result in markings from the rootlets. For wildlife, the berries are food, the flowers are nectar sources, and the vines are cover. Ivy extracts are used for cough medicine. Hedera is ivy; helix is Greek for twist/turn.
Essential Question
"Could a genetically engineered invasive species potentially be used in warfare?"