The fruits of the ivy are not often seen in the garden. They only grow when the ivy has reached its mature form. If berries have grown, caution is advised. They are highly poisonous and can even cause death if eaten.
What do ivy fruits look like and are they poisonous?
Ivy fruits are small berries with a diameter of 5-9 mm that ripen in spring. Depending on the variety, they are dark purple, black or white in color. These berries are highly toxic and can be fatal to humans and animals, especially children.
Only the older form of ivy bears berries
Many years pass before an ivy blooms for the first time. He only reaches his old age when he is older than ten years or more. This can be seen, among other things, in the leaves, which are no longer multi-lobed, but only grow three-lobed or heart-shaped.
This is what the fruits of ivy look like
- Fruits ripe in spring
- 5 – 9 mm 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 usually dark purple, occasionally greenish-black. There are also species of ivy that have white or yellow berries.
The fruits ripen in winter
Ivy blooms in autumn and is therefore a valuable natural plant, because at this time there are only a few flowers left for bees and other insects to collect nectar.
The berries remain on the bush over winter and are fully ripe in spring.
Ivy berries are highly poisonous
The fruits of the ivy are highly poisonous. They contain triterpene saponins, which can be fatal if just three fruits are consumed.
That's why ivy poses a strong risk of poisoning, especially for children.
Since the fruits are very bitter, they are not particularly suitable for consumption, so poisoning of adults almost never occurs. It's different with children who eat the berries out of curiosity, or pets who nibble on cut bushes and accidentally ingest the fruit.
Tip
Removing ivy from the garden is not easy. It spreads not only via the climbing vines, but also via seeds from the fruits in the older form. Therefore, cut back ivy after flowering so that no berries can grow.
