How to identify Japanese ivy (Hedera rhombea)

How to identify Japanese ivy (Hedera rhombea)

Japanese ivy is a climbing evergreen featuring glossy, green or occasionally white-variegated leaves connected to unique purple-red stems. The foliage often takes a broad, heart-shaped form. This climber is adept at scaling vertical spaces through tenacious aerial rootlets, which can also serve as an effective ground cover, creating a lush carpet over the soil in the absence of vertical supports. Typically, leaves are moderate in size, providing a dense, verdant drapery over surfaces it colonizes.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Vine

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Japanese ivy

Glossy green or variegated leaves on purple-red stems.

Small greenish-yellow flowers in dense, erect umbels.

Detailed Traits of Japanese ivy

Flower Features

The flowers of japanese ivy are small, greenish-yellow in color, and are gathered in large numbers. They form erect umbels, giving the appearance of clustered floral arrangements. Each flower measures approximately 0.2 inches (5 mm) across. The blooms have a subtle scent and typically appear in late summer and early fall. The petal arrangement is simple yet dense, making them a recognizable feature of the plant.

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Bigleaf hydrangea

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Japanese ivy and Their Similar Plants

English ivy vs. Japanese ivy: What's The Difference?

English ivy is the most common climber of European forests. It is a perennial woody vine with evergreen, dark, shiny lobed leaves. It utilizes aerial rootlets to attach to the tree bark with exceptional strength, helping the english ivy creep more than 15 m up a tree. Hedera helix also grows as a forest groundcover and is invasive outside its native range.

Algerian ivy vs. Japanese ivy: What's The Difference?

Algerian ivy Hedera canariensis is commonly planted as an ornamental, engulfing fences, house walls, sheds, and old tree trunks. But beware, although it has an alluring look, It's a vigorous grower and will need to actively be kept at bay to prevent it from taking over! Although it prefers moist, rich soil, it will tolerate poorer conditions.

Persian ivy vs. Japanese ivy: What's The Difference?

Persian ivy (Hedera colchica) is grown as a versatile groundcover that does particularly well in shaded areas. It's also good for erosion control on slopes, and can climb walls and trellis, and even make topiary art. Persian ivy is named after a region to the east of the Black Sea where this plant is native.

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Key Facts About Japanese ivy

Attributes of Japanese ivy

Plant Height

10 m

Flower Size

4 mm to 5 mm

Flower Color

Yellow

Green

Leaf type

Evergreen

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Scientific Classification of Japanese ivy

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Carrots, ivies and allies

Family

Ivy

Genus

Ivy

Species

Japanese ivy (Hedera rhombea)

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Distribution Map of Japanese ivy

Japanese ivy is a plant with its origins in East Asia, predominantly within temperate regions. Over time, it has spread beyond its native range to various other regions, where it is appreciated for its ornamental qualities. Despite this broadened habitat, japanese ivy remains most prolific within its historical territory in East Asia.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Japanese ivy

A Comprehensive Guide to Japanese ivy How to Grow and Care for Japanese ivy