ground ivy
(Glechoma hederacea )
This species is Introduced in the United States
Appearance
Glechoma hederacea is a perennial, evergreen and aromatic plant in the mint family (Lamiaceae). Plants can reach a height of 1 ft. (0.3 m).
Foliage
Leaves are opposite, heart-shaped, 0.8-1.2 in. (2-3 cm) wide, petiolate, and scalloped.
Flowers
Flowering occurs from March to July when tubular, lavender flowers appear in the axils of the leaves. Flowers are 0.4 in. (0.9 cm) long and come in clusters of two or more.
Fruit
Fruits are egg-shaped, brown, and 0.04 in. (1 mm) long.
Ecological Threat
Glechoma hederacea is native to Eurasia and was introduced into North America, as an ornamental or medicinal plant, as early as the 1800s. It is common in moist areas, disturbed sites, low woods, lawns, and along roadsides.
Resources
- Weed of the Week - USDA Forest Service
- Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas - National Park Service
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Invasive Listing Sources
- City of Ann Arbor Michigan Parks and Recreation
- Connecticut Invasive Plant List
- Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group
- Connecticut Noxious Weeds
- Hoffman, R. & K. Kearns, Eds. 1997. Wisconsin manual of control recommendations for ecologically invasive plants. Wisconsin Dept. Natural Resources, Bureau of Endangered Resources. Madison, Wisconsin. 102pp.
- Indiana Invasive Species Council - Invasive Plant List
- Invasive Plant Association of Wisconsin
- Invasive Plant Species of West Virginia
- Jil M. Swearingen, Survey of invasive plants occurring on National Park Service lands, 2000-2007
- Kentucky Exotic Pest Plant Council - Severe Threat
- Maine Invasive Plants
- Maryland Cooperative Extension Service. 2003. Invasive Plant Control in Maryland. Home and Garden Information Center, Home and Garden Mimeo HG88. 4 pp.
- National Park Service, Mid-Atlantic Exotic Plant Management Team Invasive Plant List
- Native Plant Society of Oregon, 2008
- New Hampshire Invasive Plant Species Watch List
- Non-Native Invasive Plants of Arlington County, Virginia
- Non-Native Invasive Plants of the City of Alexandria, Virginia
- Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
- Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas
- Virginia Invasive Plant Species List
- WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
- West Virginia Invasive Species Strategic Plan and Volunteer Guidelines 2014
- West Virginia Native Plant Society, Flora West Virginia Project, and West Virginia Curatorial Database System, September 3, 1999
Taxonomic Rank
Domain: Eukarya |
Kingdom: Plantae |
Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
Class: Magnoliopsida |
Superorder: Asteranae |
Order: Lamiales |
Family: Lamiaceae |
Genus: Glechoma |
Glechoma hederacea |
Other System Links
Plants: GLHE2
Bayer: GLEHE
GRIN: 316891
ITIS: 502801
NPDN Pest: PCOACBA
NPDN Host: 36386
Synonyms and Other Names
Other Common Names:
creeping charlie, gill-over-the-ground, groundivy, haymaids
Related Scientific Names:
Glechoma hederacea var. micrantha Moric (Synonym)
Glechoma hederacea var. parviflora (Benth.) House (Synonym)
Nepeta hederacea L. (Synonym)
References
Common Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Scientific Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.