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English ivy (Hedera helix)

English ivy is an aggressive environmental weed in Australia, where it can smother vegetation and climb into tree canopies. Much of the ivy called English ivy in Australia is thought to be Irish ivy, a closely related species.

Key facts

Type: Weed, vine and creeper.

Native to: Central Europe, western Asia and northern Africa.

Established in: NSW, ACT, VIC, TAS, SA, WA.

Other names: Ivy, Irish ivy.

Best time to act: It can be found year-round; herbicide treatment can be made any time of year when temperatures are above 12 or 15°C for a few days.

Identification

  • It is an evergreen climbing vine that can also spread as groundcover.
  • Its dark green leaves are waxy and somewhat leathery, and grow alternately along the stem.
  • Juvenile leaves are usually three-lobed, sometimes five-lobed; mature leaves are oval and unlobed.
  • Stems can produce roots that cling as the vine climbs.
  • Small greenish-white flowers appear in autumn, followed by purplish to black berry-like fruits that mature in spring.
  • Look-alike: Irish ivy (Hedera hibernica) is closely related and commonly included under the name English ivy in Australia; distinguishing ivy species can require examining minute hairs on developing leaves.
  • Look-alike: Wonga Wonga vine (Pandorea pandorana) has differently shaped leaves and stems that do not cling to bark; Common Silkpod (Parsonsia straminea) has unlobed leaves, while Cape ivy (Delairea odorata) has brighter green leaves and climbs by twining.

Where it grows

In Australia it is naturalised across south-eastern Australia and occurs in temperate to subtropical areas, including forests, disturbed rainforest, coastal areas and other upland sites, especially where soils are moist.

Why it matters

  • Dense growth can cover the ground and forest canopy, exclude native vegetation and reduce biodiversity.
  • Vines covering tree branches and leaves reduce sunlight and photosynthesis, disrupt growth and can contribute to tree death.
  • The added weight of vines can make infested trees more likely to blow over during storms.
  • Leaves and berries contain hederin, which could cause toxicosis if ingested, and flower pollen can irritate eyes.

How it spreads

  • Stem segments can establish after being dumped or transported by floods, and stems trailing over the ground root at their nodes.
  • Birds are the main means of seed dispersal after eating the berry-like fruits.

Control options

  • Pull up groundcover by hand where practical, and remove all stem parts from the ground because they can root and regrow.
  • If removed vines cannot be taken off site, dry them off the ground on branches or a platform, or seal them in strong bags and dispose of them as rubbish.
  • For smaller infestations, cover the whole area with several inches of mulch for at least two growing seasons; it may need topping up, and cardboard underneath may improve effectiveness.
  • Cut climbing vines at a comfortable height to kill the upper portions; registered herbicides can be applied any time of year when temperatures are above 12 or 15°C for a few days, with repeat treatments and follow-up monitoring usually needed.

Hygiene and washdown

  • Remove all stem parts from the ground because they can root and regrow.
  • Inspect and clean vehicles, plant and footwear before leaving an infested area, paying attention to tyres, radiators, belly plates, tracks and floor mats.
  • Wash down at a designated bay where runoff is contained and can be monitored for seedlings.
  • Record each washdown so the client has evidence of clean entry and exit.

Classification by state

  • Australia (national): No national listing. Managed under state and territory law.
  • Queensland: Not prohibited or restricted. Not listed as prohibited or restricted matter in Queensland. Everyone must also take all reasonable and practical steps to minimise its risks (the general biosecurity obligation).
  • New South Wales: Not a priority weed. Not a state or regional priority weed in NSW. The general biosecurity duty applies: anyone dealing with it must prevent, eliminate or minimise the risk it poses.
  • Victoria: Not declared. Not declared under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994. Other Victorian laws may still apply.
  • South Australia: Not declared. Not declared under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019. Other laws may still apply.
  • Western Australia: Permitted, not declared. Listed as a permitted organism in WA, so it can be brought in, but it is not a declared pest.
  • Tasmania: Not declared. Not a declared weed in Tasmania. Other laws may still apply.
  • Northern Territory: Not declared. Not on the NT A to Z weed list, and Weeds Australia does not list it as declared in the NT. Check the NT declared weeds list before moving or planting it.
  • Australian Capital Territory: Declared pest, prohibited. It is a declared pest throughout the ACT. Dealing with it, such as selling, moving or keeping it, is prohibited.

Legal obligations

Every state and territory places a duty on landholders and people working on land to prevent the spread of invasive species, such as the general biosecurity obligation in Queensland and the general biosecurity duty in New South Wales. Declarations and control requirements differ between states and local government areas, so check the current official list before work starts.

  • New South Wales: Biosecurity Act 2015 (NSW), administered by NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
  • Australian Capital Territory: Biosecurity Act 2023 (ACT), administered by ACT Biosecurity
  • Victoria: Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (Vic), administered by Agriculture Victoria
  • Tasmania: Biosecurity Act 2019 (Tas), administered by Biosecurity Tasmania
  • South Australia: Landscape South Australia Act 2019 (SA), administered by the regional landscape board
  • Western Australia: Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (WA), administered by the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

Sources