Persian Ivy - Hedera colchica

Hedera colchica has much larger and lighter leaves than our common Ivy (Hedera helix). It shares the same climbing habit, but its root system does not allow it to cling as firmly as Hedera helix.  From our observations it would seem that the leaves of this species often have a rather limp, drooping, slightly inwardly curled appearance even though they are in a healthy state.

On tree trunks and old walls. Often an escape from cultivation and seen near to habitation, however, as it is hardy and can live to 400 years it may well be capable of spreading more widely in the wild.

All year round.

Evergreen.

Scattered but fairly widespread distribution in Britain, mainly as an escape from cultivation.

Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland and probably increasing. It was not recorded in the 1979 Flora survey of Leicestershire.