Plant of the month February 2019

Hedera cypria (Cyprus ivy)

Family: Araliaceae

Origin: Europe

Location: Mediterranean Area

Accession: 1988

An attractive and vigorous species of ivy, with thick, dark green, triangular leaves marked with silvery veins, endemic to the island of Cyprus. It grows up to 20m high by means of aerial adventitious roots or makes a good ground cover. Ivies have enormous value to wildlife, providing year-round shelter for many creatures including birds, small mammals and invertebrates. In flower, they provide an invaluable late source of nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators. Ivy fruits are much appreciated by birds in late winter when other food sources are scarce.