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Glechoma hederacea L.

Ground-ivy, gill-over-the-ground, creeping charlie, alehoof, tunhoof, catsfoot, field balm, run-away-robin

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassAsteridaeA large class that encompasses asters
OrderLamialesAromatic herbs and shrubs, including lavender, lilac, olive, jasmine, ash, teak, snapdragon, sesame, psyllium, garden sage, mint, basil, and rosemary
FamilyLamiaceaeMint family
GenusGlechomaFrom the Greek glechon, an old name for a kind of mint, possibly the pennyroyal, Mentha pulegium
Specieshederacea“Of or pertaining to ivy”

About plant names...

Ground-ivy is not a North American native, but after its introduction from Europe and southwestern Asia, it has become widespread. It is a member of the mint family.

Identification: Ground-ivy has round or kidney-shaped leaves with scalloped edges, ⅜-1¼″ (9.5-31 mm) in diameter, attached in opposing pairs to a stem that is roughly square in cross-section. Often only 3″ (7.6 cm) tall, it sometimes reaches 12″ (30 cm). Flowers are blue, purple, or lavender, occurring in groups of 3. The flower shape is unusual. A small upper petal is divided into two lobes. A larger lower petal has a lobe on either side, and a large bottom lobe that is divided into two more lobes. Each flower is ⅜-½″ (9.5-12 mm) across. These plants commonly appear in lawns, and have a strong scent when crushed.

 

Glechoma hederacea (ground-ivy, gill-over-the-ground, creeping charlie, alehoof, tunhoof, catsfoot, field balm, run-away-robin)

5/12/2007 · Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts

Glechoma hederacea (ground-ivy, gill-over-the-ground, creeping charlie, alehoof, tunhoof, catsfoot, field balm, run-away-robin)

3/20/2012 · Gunpowder Falls State Park, Phoenix Rd, Phoenix, Mary­land · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm)

Some similar species:

 
Ajuga reptans
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Glechoma hederacea

Lamium purpureum
Common Name

bugle

ground-ivy

purple dead-nettle
Plant Forms loose mats. Plants are 6-9″ (15-22 cm) in height. Often only 3″ (7.6 cm) tall, it sometimes reaches 12″ (30 cm). Extends horizontally, hence the term “ivy.” 4-16″ (10-40 cm) high, and somewhat hairy.
Flowers Blue, appearing from May to Jun. Flowers are blue, purple, or lavender, occurring in groups of 3. The flower shape is unusual. A small upper petal is divided into two lobes. A larger lower petal has a lobe on either side, and a large bottom lobe that is divided into two more lobes. Each flower is ⅜-½″ (9.5-12 mm) across. Flowers are ¼-¾″ (6.3-19 mm), appearing from Mar to Oct. They are pink to red to purple in color.
Leaves Dark green with purple highlights, opposite, and simple, sometimes toothed. Round or kidney-shaped, with scalloped edges, ⅜-1¼″ (9.5-31 mm) in diameter. Toothed, round or kidney-shaped, deeply and irregularly veined, and ¼-1¼″ (6.3-31 mm). Each stem node has two opposite leaves, and each succeeded pair is rotated 90° from the last. Upper, younger leaves often have a red-violet tinge.
Stem   Square in cross-section. Stems are 4-angled and glabrous.
Range/ Zones

USDA Zones: 3-10

Habitats Damp grassy fields, damp woods. Moist ground, woods, slopes, roadsides, waste places, lawns Fields, weedy places, gardens.
Type Wild Wild Wild
Occurrence Common Common Common

 

 
Prunella vulgaris
Common Name

common selfheal
Plant 1¾-16″ (5-40 cm) high, usually toward the small end of this. It is often found in lawns.
Flowers On spikes at the top. They look uneven and disheveled because they don't bloom all at once. Each flower is about ⅜″ (1 cm) around, purple on top and white below, and bilaterally symmetrical.
Leaves Up to 2″ (6 cm) × ¾″ (2 cm), oval or sometimes lance-shaped, on fairly long petioles (leaf stems).
Stem Approximately square in cross section, green or reddish, and lightly to densely hairy.
Range/ Zones

Habitats Fields, roadsides, weedy area, open woods
Type Wild
Occurrence Common

 

Online References:

The Virginia Tech Weed Identification Guide

Wikipedia

Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants

Illinois Wildflowers

The USDA Forest Service's Fire Effects Information Database

References:

Clemants, Steven; Gracie, Carol, Wildflowers in the Field and Forest, Oxford University Press, 2006, p. 50

Glechoma hederacea (ground-ivy, gill-over-the-ground, creeping charlie, alehoof, tunhoof, catsfoot, field balm, run-away-robin)

6/2/2008 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts

Glechoma hederacea (ground-ivy, gill-over-the-ground, creeping charlie, alehoof, tunhoof, catsfoot, field balm, run-away-robin)

6/9/2017 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 4½ × 7″ (12 × 18 cm)

Glechoma hederacea (ground-ivy, gill-over-the-ground, creeping charlie, alehoof, tunhoof, catsfoot, field balm, run-away-robin)

6/11/2014 · Conservation Area near Potanipo Pond, Brookline, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 10 × 7″ (25 × 16 cm)

Glechoma hederacea (ground-ivy, gill-over-the-ground, creeping charlie, alehoof, tunhoof, catsfoot, field balm, run-away-robin)

4/29/2017 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 4 × 2½″ (10 × 7.1 cm)

Glechoma hederacea (ground-ivy, gill-over-the-ground, creeping charlie, alehoof, tunhoof, catsfoot, field balm, run-away-robin)

6/9/2017 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 10 × 6″ (24 × 16 cm)

Glechoma hederacea (ground-ivy, gill-over-the-ground, creeping charlie, alehoof, tunhoof, catsfoot, field balm, run-away-robin)

4/29/2017 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 4 × 2½″ (11 × 7.3 cm)

Glechoma hederacea (ground-ivy, gill-over-the-ground, creeping charlie, alehoof, tunhoof, catsfoot, field balm, run-away-robin)

5/12/2007 · Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts

Glechoma hederacea (ground-ivy, gill-over-the-ground, creeping charlie, alehoof, tunhoof, catsfoot, field balm, run-away-robin)

5/17/2016 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts

Glechoma hederacea L. var. micrantha Moric.

Glechoma hederacea L. var. parviflora (Benth.) House

Nepeta hederacea (L.) Trevis.

 

Glechoma hederacea description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.


 

Glechoma hederacea (ground-ivy, gill-over-the-ground, creeping charlie, alehoof, tunhoof, catsfoot, field balm, run-away-robin)

5/5/2010 · Nashua River at Rte 119, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 6 × 9″ (15 × 23 cm)

Glechoma hederacea (ground-ivy, gill-over-the-ground, creeping charlie, alehoof, tunhoof, catsfoot, field balm, run-away-robin)

6/9/2017 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 4 × 6″ (11 × 16 cm)

Glechoma hederacea (ground-ivy, gill-over-the-ground, creeping charlie, alehoof, tunhoof, catsfoot, field balm, run-away-robin)

5/17/2016 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts

Glechoma hederacea (ground-ivy, gill-over-the-ground, creeping charlie, alehoof, tunhoof, catsfoot, field balm, run-away-robin)

6/9/2017 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 5 × 8″ (13 × 20 cm)

Glechoma hederacea (ground-ivy, gill-over-the-ground, creeping charlie, alehoof, tunhoof, catsfoot, field balm, run-away-robin)

6/11/2014 · Conservation Area near Potanipo Pond, Brookline, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 7 × 10″ (16 × 25 cm)

Glechoma hederacea (ground-ivy, gill-over-the-ground, creeping charlie, alehoof, tunhoof, catsfoot, field balm, run-away-robin)

4/23/2010 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm)

Glechoma hederacea (ground-ivy, gill-over-the-ground, creeping charlie, alehoof, tunhoof, catsfoot, field balm, run-away-robin)

6/9/2017 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 4½ × 7″ (12 × 18 cm)

Glechoma hederacea (ground-ivy, gill-over-the-ground, creeping charlie, alehoof, tunhoof, catsfoot, field balm, run-away-robin)

3/18/2012 · Gunpowder Falls State Park, Phoenix Rd., Phoenix, Mary­land · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm)

Glechoma hederacea (ground-ivy, gill-over-the-ground, creeping charlie, alehoof, tunhoof, catsfoot, field balm, run-away-robin)

6/11/2014 · Conservation Area near Potanipo Pond, Brookline, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 8 × 6″ (20 × 14 cm)

Range:

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