I was told years ago that this is an Enlish Ivy. I am learning to is not. Can you help me with the correct name and care for this plant?
Looks like Swedish Ivy--Plectranthus australis. I am always open to correction. This is also called Creeping Charlie. hope this helps. :o) Bill
http://www.hort.wisc.edu/Hort233Site/JasonHort233/plectranthus_australis.htm http://pss.uvm.edu/pss123/folplec.html If it is it and it's called Swedish ivy why has it got the australis(a) bit in the latin name??? just wondering Liz
australis is simply Latin for "southern", and there are plants from various parts of the world having this as the specific epithet, e.g. Celtis australis, from southern Europe. But the name Plectranthus australis does apply to an Australian species, though now it is considered a synonym of P. parviflorus. It has been misapplied to a plant whose correct identification is P. verticillatus and which is native to South Africa. This is your "Swedish Ivy", in my opinion one of the sillier common names, though in the world of indoor plants there many silly names. Maybe someone can explain what is "Swedish" about it.
Definitely, and good reason to not use it! (particularly as there are other much better names for it). 'Ivy' should only be used for Hedera species, to avoid causing confusion.
Well, I am glad I could give you something to think about! Swedish Ivy or Creeping Charlie is good enough for me.
