The ivy plant should be familiar to all, as a climber clinging to tall trees and also as a spreading ground cover plant of woodland and hedgerows. The dark green, glossy evergreen leaves are of two shapes: most are palmate, 3 or 5 lobed, with pale veins while some (pictured) are more heart-shaped. The greenish flowers appear in early Autumn, and the purple-black berries appear during the winter months. These are mildly poisonous and should not be eaten. Exposure to the sap may also cause a skin rash.