- Only the older form of ivy bears berries
- This is what the fruits of ivy look like
- The fruits ripen in winter
- Ivy berries are highly toxic
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The fruits of the ivy are not so often seen in the garden. They only grow when the ivy has reached its old age. If berries have grown, caution is advised. They are highly toxic and can even cause death if eaten.
Ivy does not bear fruit until it is 10 years old
Only the older form of ivy bears berries
Many years pass before an ivy flowers for the first time. He only reaches his old age form when he is older than ten years and more. This can be seen, among other things, in the leaves, which are no longer multi-lobed but only three-lobed or heart-shaped.
This is what the fruits of ivy look like
- Fruits ripe in spring
- 5 - 9mm diameter
- depending on the variety dark purple, black or white
The fruits develop from the hemispherical umbels of the flower. They reach a size of five to nine millimeters. Each berry contains one to five seeds.
Ripe fruits are mostly dark purple, occasionally greenish-black. There are also ivy species that bear white or yellow berries.
The fruits ripen in winter
Ivy flowers in autumn and is therefore a valuable natural plant, because at this time there are few flowers left for bees and other insects to collect nectar.
The berries stay on the bush over winter and are fully ripe in spring.
Ivy berries are highly toxic
Ivy fruits are highly toxic. They contain triterpene saponins, which can be deadly if you eat just three fruits.
Therefore, ivy poses a strong risk of poisoning, especially for children.
Since the fruits are very bitter, they are not necessarily tempting to eat, so poisoning of adults almost never occurs. It is different with children, who eat the berries out of curiosity, or pets, who nibble on cut shrubs and accidentally eat fruit.
tips
Removing ivy from the garden is not easy. It not only spreads via the climbing tendrils, but also via seeds from the fruit when it is older. Therefore, cut back ivy after flowering so that no berries can grow.