Ivy
a climbing plant of the genus Hedera (H. Helix), natural order Araliacex. The leaves are smooth and shining, varying much in form, from oval entire to three and five lobed; and their perpetual verdure gives the plant a beautiful appearance. The flowers are greenish and inconspicuous. H. Helix (the common ivy) is found throughout almost the whole of Europe and in many parts of Asia and Africa. The Irish ivy is cultivated on account of the large size of its foliage and rapid growth.
Several varieties of ivy are grown in American gardens. The ivy attains a great age and becomes several inches thick. The wood is soft and porous, and when cut into very thin plates may be used for filtering liquids. In Switzerland and the S. of Europe it is employed in making various useful articles. The ivy has been celebrated from remote antiquity, and was held sacred in some countries, as Greece and Egypt. Its medicinal properties are unimportant.
Chinese ivy (Parechites Thunbergii) is a climbing shrub with privet-like leaves and sweet-scented flowers.