Hedera

Hedera helix - ivy, common or English ivy

 

Ivy is one of the earliest plants used ornamentally by mankind. So much ivy pollen has been found in Stone Age graves in England that it has been possible to calculate that the plant was collected to ornament the graves as long as 7600 years ago. Since ancient times the evergreen leaves have symbolised the continuity of life through winter and beyond death, particularly in areas where there are no evergreen conifers. Ivy continues to be a popular garden plant in western Europe.