Ivy, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230

Folio

Ivy is an evergreen, woody climbing plant which can grow to a height of thirty metres. It's climbing stems have specialised hairs which enable it to cling to surfaces as it climbs. The mature form of ivy can be self supporting.

There is a popular belief that ivy strangles trees, but this is a misconception, ivy causes no harm to trees whatsoever, and in fact, it supports at least fifty species of wildlife. There are two sub species of ivy in Britain, Hedera helix ssp. helix, which climbs, and Hedera helix ssp. hibernica, which is ground spreading.

Only mature plants produce flowers, and these are a yellowish green, which grow in dome shaped clusters. It also produces fruits, which are like black berries, growing in clusters. The nectar, pollen and berries, provide an important food source for insects and birds during autumn and winter. The berries have a high fat content, which ids nutritious for birds, and ivy provides shelter for insects, birds, bats and other small mammals.

Wearing a wreath of ivy leaves around the head, was reputed to prevent people from getting drunk. Bacchus, the Roman god of intoxication, is often depicted wearing a wreath of ivy and grapevines. Ivy was also a symbol of fidelity, and it was customary to present newly wed couples with a wreath of ivy, today ivy is still included in bridal bouquets. In ancient Rome, ivy symbolised intellectual achievement.

Transcription

Translation

Hedera est arbor repens in altum vel in latum.
claviculis et quibusdam anulis se muris vel ar-
boribus stringens et tenens; ut crescat in immen-
sum. Ramis infinitus dilatatur. Semper foliis;
viret. Medicaminibus; tum foliis tum fructibus
apta. Arbor amara. sed aspectur iocunda;
Unea ex multis vitibus constat. Singule enim
arbores singule sunt vites. Vitus dicta; quod se
muicem vites vitis innectant. viscinisque arboribus
reptando religentur. Est enim earum natura;

The ivy is a tree that creeps up in height or in width, fastening and holding itself to walls or trees with pegs and certain rings; that it may grow into an immeasurable one. The branches spread endlessly. Always leaves; green Medicines; suitable both for leaves and fruits. A bitter tree, but a pleasant sight. A union consists of many vines. For every tree is every vine. The vine called; that the vines of the vine entwine themselves with the vines, and the vines are tied by creeping to the trees. For it is their nature;

121v

flexibilis. q’ quasi brachiis quibusdam quicquid comprehen-
derint; stringitur. Caprioli enim dicuntur quidam cincin-
ni. qui capiunt arbores. quibus vites se innectunt.
et suspendere solent; arboribus. Quo ammi viculo
freti palmites ventos ac turbines sustinere que-
ant. et sine lapsus periculo fructus suos sustineant.
ac sese vaga proceritate defendant. Hunc quoque
vites coralos id est anulos. qui proxima ligant et
comprehendunt. ne longius laxati palmites; ventorum
flatibus dissipentur. Hunc quoque vites pampinos.
id est lata folia de vite pendentia. quorum subsidio
fructus a frigore vel ardore defenditur. atque adver-
sus omnem iniuriam munitur. Quid pampinus ali-
cubi interscisus est; ut solem ad maturitatem fruc-
tus admittat;

flexible, as if they grasped anything with some arms; is tied For certain locks are called roes, which take hold of trees. with which the vines bind themselves, and are wont to suspend them; trees That the palm-trees, supported by the village, may withstand the winds and the storms, and may support their fruits without the danger of falling, and may they defend themselves with a wandering prostrate. This also the coral vines, that is, the rings, which bind and hold close together, lest the palms should be loosened farther; they are scattered by the blasts of the wind. This also has the vines, that is, broad leaves hanging from the vine, by means of which the fruit is protected from cold or heat, and is fortified against all injury. What a fringe is cut off somewhere; to allow the sun to ripen the fruit.