Colchic ivy

Family Araliaceae. A vigorous, liana-like, evergreen shrub, climbing supports to a height of up to 30 m. Sterile shoots are thin, with short sucker roots, fertile shoots are thicker and hairy.

Leaves large, up to 25 cm long, variable in shape, glossy, leathery, predominantly entire, less often three-lobed, green, with a specific musky scent when crushed. Blooms in autumn. Inconspicuous flowers are gathered in umbrelike inflorescences. Berry-like, spherical, black fruits ripen in the summer of the following year. Grows faster than common ivy, but is less frost-hardy. For good development it needs fresh, fertile soil and semi-shaded positions. Used in vertical landscaping.

Most well-known forms: toothed (f. dentata); purple (f. purpurea) - with purple leaves; tree-like (f. arborescens) - upright, bushy form.