Ground Ivy

(Glechoma hederacea L.)

Interesting Information About Plant:  

Ground Ivy is a extremely versatile plant in which prefers to live in shading regions, but is not discouraged by the sun as long as moist soil is available. This determined plant is one of the first to bloom in the spring. It was originally used for cultivation, but managed to escape and is now a quite common plant in America. Interesting and characteristic of the Mint family, Ground Ivy exhibits a pungent odor when any part of the plant is crushed. Also, the stems of ground ivy are square instead of round like similar plants. The propagation of these plants is by cuttings, layering, or seeds. And the best type to rid a lawn of these nasty weeds is either during the fall or early spring right after the plants flowers. At each node the plant creates a root which makes it extremely difficult to remove by hand.

Plant Growth Habit: Ground Cover

Height at Maturity: Less than 1 foot

Life Span: Perennial

Seasonal Habit: Herbaceous That Stays Green through Winter 

Growth Habitat: Shade or Partial Sun

Manner of Culture: Weed

Thorns on Younger Stem: No

Cross Section of Younger Stem: Square

Stem (or Trunk) Diameter: Less Than the Diameter of a Pencil  

Produces Brownish Bark: No

Bark Peeling in Many Areas: No

Characteristics of Mature (Brownish) Bark: No Mature Bark (all green)

Type of Leaf: Flat, Thin Leaf 

Size of Leaf (or Leaflet): Less than Length of a Credit Card

Leaf Complexity:  Simple

Edge of Leaf:  Serrated

Leaf Arrangement: Opposite

Leaf has Petiole: Yes

Patterns of Main-Veins on Leaf (or Leaflet): Palmate 

Leaf Hairiness: Somewhat Hairy 

Color of Foliage in Summer: Green   

Change in Color of Foliage in October: No Change  

Flowering Season: Spring

Flowers: Tightly Clustered          

Type of Flower: Colorful Flower

Color of Flower: Purple-Violet 

Shape of Individual Flower: Bilaterally Symmetrical 

Size of Individual Flower: Smaller than a Quarter

Sexuality: Hermaphroditic

Size of Fruit: Smaller than a Quarter

Fruit Fleshiness: Dry

Shape of Fruit: Spherical

Color of Fruit at Maturity: Brown or Dry

Fruit Desirable to Birds or Squirrels: No   

Common Name(s): Ground Ivy, Creeping Charlie, & Gill-over-the-ground

Scientific Name: Glechoma hederacea L.

Family Name (Scientific and Common): Lamiaceae   (Mint Family)

Continent of Origin:  Eurasia

Louisville Plants That Are Most Easily Confused With This One: Common Blue Violet, Malva neglecta

Unique Morphological Features of Plant:  Is a vine, with runners, so can cover large areas

Poisonous: Yes, leaves

Pestiness (weedy, hard to control):  Yes  

Page prepared by:

Brittany Irwin                                   

November 2004