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H E D E R A Helix.
Common Ivy.
PENTANDRIA Monogynia.
Gen. Char. Cal. of 5 teeth. Petals 5, broadest at
the base. Berry encompassed with the calyx, containing
5 seeds.
Spec. Char. Leaves some ovate, somelobed.
Syn. Hedera Helix. Linn. Sp, PI. 292. Sm. FI. Brit.
267, Huds. 100. With. 267. Hull. 54. Relh.91.
Sibth. 85, Abbot. 53, Curt. Lond.fasc. 1 . 1. 16.
H. communis major et minor. Raii Syn. 459.
E v e r y one is acquainted with the Ivy, sa common and so
picturesque upon old walls, and the trunks of aged trees, whose
heads it frequently overtops, finally overwhelming its supporters
altogether. Nor does it less commonly creep on the ground
in dark woods, forming an evergreen carpet. It is the latest
of all our flowering plants, blossoming in October and JNovember,
and ripening its berries in the spring.
The stem and branches are long and flexible, a little compressed,
creeping, and closely attached to the tree or wall,
which supports them, by innumerable short fibres, which,
however, do not afford them any nourishment; tor every
day’s experience shows that Ivy is easily killed by cutting the
stem above the root. The upper branches spread m every direction,
and are round and smooth. The leaves are ever-
o-reen, of a dark hue, beautifully veined with white, and
somewhat shining : the lowermost five-lobed, the uppermost
ovate ; all entire and supported by footstalks. Flowers numerous,
in umbels, several of which together form a corym-
hus. Stalks slightly clothed with starry down. Germen urn-
shaped, encompassed by the 5 teeth of the calyx. eta s
green, reflexed. Stamina .erect. Style very short, with a
simple stigma. Berry globular, black, mealy within.
The whole plant partakes of a peculiar aromatic flavour.
From the old stems, when bruised, a very fragrant resin
exudes. Mr. Curtis recommends this plant to be trained into
a head as a standard cver-greenj he also mentions that sheep
are very fond of the leaves.