Hedera algeriensis

Life-forms

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Eudicots
Cladus: Core eudicots
Cladus: Asterids
Cladus: Campanulids
Ordo: Apiales

Familia: Araliaceae
Subfamilia: Aralioideae
Genus: Hedera
Species: Hedera algeriensis
Name

Hedera algeriensis Hibberd, Fl. World Gard. Guide 7: 57 (1864).
Synonyms

Heterotypic

Hedera algeriensis var. variegata Paul, Gard. Chron. 1215. 1867.
Hedera canariensis f. variegata (Paul) Verhaeghe, Taxonomania 11: 14. 2004.
Hedera canariensis var. variegata (Paul) Schulze-Menz, Gentes Herb. 6: 128. 1942.
Hedera grandifolia var. variegata (Paul) Hibberd, Ivy: 28. 1872.

Distribution
Native distribution areas:

Continental: Asie

References: Brummitt, R.K. 2001. TDWG – World Geographical Scheme for Recording Plant Distributions, 2nd Edition
References
Primary references

Hibberd, S. 1864. The Ivy. Floral World and Garden Guide. 7: 7–10, 29–31, 55–59, 71–72. BHL Reference page. : 57

Additional references

Rutherford A., H. McAllister & R. Mill 1993. New ivies from the mediterranean area and Macaronesia. The Plantsman. Royal Hort. Soc. Edinburgh. 15: 115–128.

Links

Hassler, M. 2020. Hedera algeriensis. World Plants: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World In: Roskovh, Y., Abucay, L., Orrell, T., Nicolson, D., Bailly, N., Kirk, P., Bourgoin, T., DeWalt, R.E., Decock, W., De Wever, A., Nieukerken, E. van, Zarucchi, J. & Penev, L., eds. 2020. Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life. Published on the internet. Accessed: 2020 Oct. 1. Reference page.
International Plant Names Index. 2020. Hedera algeriensis. Published online. Accessed: Oct. 1 2020.
Govaerts, R. et al. 2020. Hedera algeriensis in Kew Science Plants of the World online. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the internet. Accessed: 2020 Oct. 1. Reference page.
Tropicos.org 2020. Hedera algeriensis. Missouri Botanical Garden. Published on the internet. Accessed: 2020 Oct. 1.

Vernacular names

Hedera algeriensis, the Algerian ivy, is a species of evergreen ivy native to the North African coast, including coastal mountains in Algeria.[1]

Description

It is a vigorous, large evergreen climber, self-clinging by aerial roots. The stems are reddish, partly decorated with stellate hairs or scales, reddish-starred with about 15 rays. The leaves are alternate and simple. As in other Hedera species, the fertile branches have stiff stems with leaves having usually fewer lobes compared to the sterile (juvenile) stems. The main part of the leaf (the lamina) is oval-rhombic, 12–20 cm by 5–12 cm on flowering branches and coarsely toothed or slightly lobed (3-5 lobes) on the sterile stems. The inflorescence is a cluster of 13-15 pubescent flowers. Small flowers in umbels develop only on the fertile stems or branches. The plant contains the glycoside hederagenin, mostly in the leaves and berries, which could cause a mild toxicosis. If these parts are ingested it may cause severe discomfort, and handling plants may cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction. The plant is rejected by herbivorous animals. Variegated cultivars of Hedera algeriensis are widely used in gardening. It naturalizes in mild climates and lowlands.

The cultivar 'Ravensholst'[2] has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Ecology

It may be a noxious weed or be invasive. It requires consistently moist soil, but is more resistant to environmental dryness than most related species and can stand drought better than other ivies. It tolerates low temperatures better than island species of similar latitudes, such as Hedera canariensis, Hedera maderensis, Hedera azorica, or Hedera cypria. It is native to the North African coast and coastal mountains where the climate is cooler and condensation provides a more humid habitat. It is frost sensitive at about the -2 °C winter isotherm but can become naturalised in mild climates. Hedera algeriensis arose from a common ancestor in the cloud forest habitat in the Mediterranean area. The northern African Hedera and northeast Atlantic species of the genus Hedera are closely related species. Until recently it was thought there was a single species,[3] Hedera helix, but recent studies have shown that there are several species that differ mainly by microscopic details of the hairiness of the buds. Hedera maroccana, Hedera iberica, and Hedera canariensis are closely related.
Landscaping

Hedera algeriensis has been cultivated in Britain since 1838.

In Coastal California Algerian ivy is used as a ground cover on highway embankments to help control erosion.[4] Without irrigation it can be difficult to establish and maintain,[5] and can hide underlying dead, dry material, which can be a fire hazard.[6] The ivy groundcover provides cover, food and herbage for roof rats and snails.[7]
References

Verhaeghe, P. 2004. Clef des plantes sarmenteuses rustiques en Belgique. Taxonomania 11:1-26
"RHS Plant Selector - Hedera algeriensis 'Ravensholst'". Retrieved 20 June 2013.
"Hedera maroccana".
OnlinePlantGuide.com Hedera canariensis /Algerian Ivy. 2007-2015
State of California, Department of Public Works. Shrubs most often used. In: California Roadsides, Calif. State Printing Office, 1961.
Drill, S.L. et al. S.A.F.E. LANDSCAPES, Southern California Guidebook: Sustainable and Fire-Safe Landscapes In The Wildland Urban Interface. University of California Cooperative Extension, September 2009.
Olkowski W. et al. The Potential for Biological Control in Urban Areas. IV Biological Setting for Urban Pest Control. In: Perspectives in Urban Entomology, GW Frankie & CS Koehler, eds. Academic Press, 1978, page 321.