Hedera canariensis
Canary islands ivy, Canary Islands Ivy
(c) Elliot Greiner, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Araliaceae · Type: Perennial · Not Native
Conservation status: Cal-IPC Yes
Hedera canariensis (Canary islands ivy) is a non-native California perennial in the Araliaceae family, recognized by (H. helix). Key difference is leaf shape on flowering stems - broadly ovate/cordate vs ovate to diamond-shaped.
Canary islands ivy is a naturalized perennial found in northern coastal California, San Francisco Bay Area, and southwestern California in woodland, chaparral, and disturbed areas at elevations below 916 meters. Flowering from August to November, this plant produces small, subtle flowers clustered on stems. Growing with climbing or spreading stems that can reach several meters in length, it develops dense, woody growth. Its distinctive leaves on flowering stems are broadly ovate with a heart-shaped base, typically less than 15 centimeters long and slightly hairy on the underside. The fruit is approximately 5 millimeters long, contributing to its successful spread in disturbed habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species (H. helix). Key difference is leaf shape on flowering stems - broadly ovate/cordate vs ovate to diamond-shaped.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Woodland, chaparral, disturbed areas
Elevation: < 916 m
California counties: Alameda, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, Tuolumne, San Mateo, Monterey
Outside California: widely cultivated, native to Macaronesia, northern Africa
Bloom period
Hedera canariensis blooms Aug-Nov.
Conservation status
Cal-IPC Yes
How to tell it apart
vs Delairea: Hedera has thick, leathery leaves and woody stems; Delairea has soft, succulent leaves on herbaceous stems.; vs Parthenocissus: Hedera clings with aerial rootlets and has simple lobed leaves; Parthenocissus uses tendrils with adhesive pads and has compound leaves.; vs Marah: Hedera is evergreen and woody with lobed leaves; Marah is deciduous with tendrils and deeply palmately divided leaves.; vs Vitis: Hedera clings with aerial rootlets; Vitis climbs with coiling tendrils and has bark that peels in strips.; vs Asarum: Hedera is a climbing woody vine; Asarum is a low ground-hugging herb with kidney-shaped leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hedera canariensis native to California?
No. Hedera canariensis is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Hedera canariensis bloom?
Hedera canariensis blooms Aug-Nov.
Where in California does Hedera canariensis grow?
Hedera canariensis occurs in Alameda, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange and other counties, at elevations of < 916 m.
What plant family does Hedera canariensis belong to?
Hedera canariensis is in the Araliaceae family, genus Hedera.
Is Hedera canariensis invasive in California?
Hedera canariensis is listed by Cal-IPC with an invasiveness rating of Yes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.