Hedera nepalensis (Himalayan ivy, chang chun teng) is a species of perennial Ivy (genus Hedera) native to Nepal and Bhutan, as well as Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, at altitudes of about 1000–3000 m. Plants grow up to 30 m in height, with simple leaves ranging from 2–15 cm long, and yellow flowers.
| Hedera nepalensis | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Apiales |
| Family: | Araliaceae |
| Genus: | Hedera |
| Species: | H. nepalensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Hedera nepalensis K.Koch
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Morphology
editStem: creeping or climbing to a height of 30 m with adventitious roots. Evergreen foliage, dark green, glossy, lighter underneath, glabrous, leathery, lanceolate, oval, to klapowanych (flaps odd, usually 3, triangular), u heart-shaped base of the wedge, the top slightly pointed or blunt. Flowers: bisexual, small, 5-fold, meeting at the base within the ovate panicles. Flower stalks (length 7–12 mm) and Flowering hairy. Calyx entire edges, retained. Petals yellow crown. Stamens 5, anthers 1–2 mm long. Pillar short neck, single, Fruit is a drupes, flattened, 5–7 mm long, 5–10 mm wide, with orange to red.
Ecology
editThe plant blooms from October to April.
Plant toxic, all parts are poisonous because they contain saponins (e.g. hederynę), which are irritating to the skin, and conjunctiva of eyes, and after ingestion induce gastrointestinal nervous system, disturbances. Can occur hemolysis and erythrocytes.
It occurs mostly in moist soil in shade, at the height of 1000–3000 m as climbs over rocks and tree trunks by adventitious roots, rarely used as a ground cover or decorative climber in gardens and parks. Resistance to frost apparently large (up to 8 zones USDA).
There are two varieties or subspecies:[1]
- Hedera nepalensis var. nepalensis
- ''Hedera nepalensis K. Koch var. Sinensis (Tobler) Rehder - occurs in the China.
Synonyms
edit- Hedera cinerea
- Hedera himalaica
- Hedera helix var. chrysocarpa
- Hedera helix var. cinerea
- Hedera helix var. himalaica
References
edit
- ^ "Hedera nepalensis". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 21 August 2008.
- eFloras entry
- Hort. dendrol. 284, t. 75. 1854.
- Ackerfield, J. 2001. Trichome morphology in Hedera (Araliaceae). Edinburgh J. Bot. 58:259–267.
- Chinese Academy of Sciences. 1959–. Flora reipublicae popularis sinicae.
- Encke, F. et al. 1984. Zander: Handwörterbuch der Pflanzennamen, 13. Auflage.
- Hara, H. et al. 1978–1982. An enumeration of the flowering plants of Nepal.
- Lawrence, G. H. M. & A. E. Schulze. 1942. The cultivated Hederas. Gentes Herb. 6:107–173.
- Liberty Hyde Bailey Hortorium. 1976. Hortus third.
- Nasir, E. & S. I. Ali, eds. 1970–. Flora of [West] Pakistan.
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