Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

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Hedera hibernica (G. Kirchn.) Bean

Atlantic ivy (Araliaceae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
Very widespreadSlight tendencyS
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Synonym | Hedera helix subsp. hibernica (G. Kirchn.) D. C. McClint.

The leaves of Hedera species are very variable, but those of Hedera hibernica tend to be less divided than those of Hedera helix; it grows natively in Ireland, Wales, the Isle of Man, south-western Scotland and south-western England.

Aber Bach (VC45: Pembrokeshire); 2014-05-20

 Atlantic ivy / Hedera hibernica: The leaves of _Hedera_ species are very variable, but those of _Hedera hibernica_ tend to be less divided than those of _Hedera helix_; it grows natively in Ireland, Wales, the Isle of Man, south-western Scotland and south-western England.

The stellate hairs on the leaves of Hedera hibernica are splayed along the plane of the leaf, rather than outward, as in H. helix.

St. Mary’s (VC1: West Cornwall & Scillies); 2026-03-22

 Atlantic ivy / Hedera hibernica: The stellate hairs on the leaves of _Hedera hibernica_ are splayed along the plane of the leaf, rather than outward, as in _H. helix_.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne