Identify shrubby Ivy

This plant has been grown here as Hedera helix 'Arborea Variegata'. I have found no other name for this plant anywhere. It is obviously and old cultivar and if it is named properly, then It seems to be unique.
Any thoughts on the subject are appreciated.

 

If by unique you mean the shrubby habit that's merely because it's an adult, flowering plant. Similar specimens can be made out of adult growths of other varieties by rooting cuttings of them.

I thought I had a book on ivies here but now I don't see it.

Maybe there's some connection between this specimen and this name:

http://apps.rhs.org.uk/horticulturaldatabase/hortdatabase.asp?ID=33858

 

I believe this is the adult (i.e., reproductive) phase of the commonly cultivated Hedera algeriensis cultivar 'Gloire de Marengo' (common in Zone 8 and warmer). In the RHS Plant Finder, this plant is listed as H. algeriensis 'Gloire de Marengo' arborescent.

Essentially, Hedera species in their juvenile phase have more or less horizontal stems, climbing where they encounter appropriate vertical surfaces, such as tree trunks. Once they get out of the shade and reach the open, full exposure at the top of the tree (or structure), they switch to their reproductive phase. This is characterized by stiffer branching, leaves rounder in outline and that are more cupped, and the appearance of umbellate inflorescences upon which their flowers are borne. The interesting thing for me is that if a stem is rooted, it generally maintains whichever phase it was in when cut.

Some years ago, I was surprised to learn that a number of other plants are known for this phenomenon, including Ficus bennendijkii, a tropical fig species that gives us the juvenile, narrow leafed 'Alii', the larger, elegant, 'Amstel Queen', and the beefier, broader leafed 'Amstel King'. I believe I read somewhere that F. bennendijkii is a strangler. Evidently, the reproductive phase of the species has elliptic leaves. The technical term for such cultivars (i.e., clones asexually derived from a particular phase of a plant's growth cycle) is cyclophysic, although it's a word little known or used.

 

From Douglas' link here's a photo of an adult clone being offered under the name 'Whipped Cream'.

http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgu...&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&gbv=1&tbs=isch:1&um=1&itbs=1

If you click on their picture it blows up big enough to get a fair idea of what the plant looks like.

 

Hi, Sorry Ron and Douglas. I have given the wrong impression in my post. I am aware of a number of shrubby forms of Ivy and have been given 2 possibilities already (in another forum). The problem with them is like your suggestion of 'Whipped Cream', Ron, that they are new cultivars and this one is about 30 years old.
It is difficult to judge from the foliage re. H. algeriensis 'G. de M.' I had assumed from foliage of the climbing forms that it was, in fact, a form of H. helix, but one suggestion was a form of H. poeticus (!)
I will take a photo of the foliage close up and submit it. Thank you for you suggestions. I appreciate it.

 

That's why I said "If by unique you mean".

Note that Plant Delights says 'Whipped Cream' is from adult growth of 'Gloire de Marengo'. Don't know details of origin Tony Avent alludes to in his description, but if it's from a cutting of 'Gloire de Marengo', with no altering mutation involved then that makes 'Whipped Cream' a synonym of 'Gloire de Marengo'.

That's why I referred to it as a clone.

 

Hi,
If 'Whipped Cream' is as you say, Ron, how should it be written?

I enclose photos of the foliage of the Hedera, both variegated and reverted to green. There some reverted shoots of climbing growth but they were tiny and white.

 

I know it seems awkward, but following the RHS, the correct name would be Hedera algeriensis 'Gloire de Marengo' arborescent. If the reverted (green) shoots were propagated, they would properly be H. algeriensis arborescent.

'Whipped Cream' is a name without standing if it is, as we understand, merely the reproductive (arborescent) phase of 'Gloire de Marengo'. However, 'Whipped Cream' is a catchy name and will probably stick.