Ivy Got You Covered
Image from Kands Greenhouse
Origins
English ivy, also known as hedera helix, is an invasive flowering plant species from Europe, Northern Africa, and Western Asia. European colonists introduced it to the U.S., and it arrived in the DMV region due to its value as an ornamental plant. It is still sold as such today.
Image from TLC
Human Effects
English Ivy can be found all over the DMV area. Some examples include throughout the Potomac River where hiking trails are, in neighborhoods, and on highways where trees are present. Overall English ivy is almost everywhere in the region and most likely been seen by many people in their everyday lives. English Ivy in backyards can cause issues of going up trees, killing native plants, as well as causing harm to any potential pets living in the house by consuming the berries on the vines, which are poisonous, this can cause vomiting and diarrhea in pets. The ivy can climb up fences and houses. Based on the condition of the house it can grow where there are cracks in the house therefore getting inside and can creep in by the windows. This can cause infrastructure damage to the house and can be very difficult to remove and or maintain. It can cause issues with everyday usage of opening the windows or opening the door based on how much of the house is covered by the ivy.
Image from Fast Growing Trees
Image from Conserving Carolina
Environmental Effects
English ivy can spread very quickly through seed distribution by birds that eat the berries on the ivy and spit out the seeds. The ivy can adapt to a wide range of different soil types and has a tendency to grow outwardly, creating roots at the nodes and outcompeting native plant and tree species. It can harm trees by suffocating, wrapping around the tree, and covering its leaves preventing sunlight from reaching the leaves not allowing the tree to photosynthesize and make nutrients for itself leaving it weak. The weight of the vines can weaken branches making them susceptible to breaking easily. The ivy is a shelter to many pests and diseases which can be transferred to the tree weakening and killing it. English ivy is contributing to deforestation and many areas in protected forest areas have English ivy. This causes harm to the biodiversity of the region since the ivy is outcompeting all of the other native plant species by blocking out sunlight and dominating trees which is causing harm to the wildlife as they rely on specific plants for food and shelter forcing them to relocate. The ivy can cause harm to some animals if consumed due to the chemical compound in the leaves. All these factors are causing significant harm and disruption to an ecosystem.
Image from Conserving Carolina
Sources
Here are the sources used: