Plant characteristics and classification of ground-ivy
- Origin and occurrence of Ground-ivy. Ground-ivy is a native plant to Europe. ...
- Plant order of ground-ivy. Ground-ivy belongs to the mint family and is distantly related to other known herbs and spices such as rosemary or thyme.
- Characteristics of Ground-ivy. Ground-ivy is a perennial herbal plant and is considered a typical ground cover. ...
What is ground ivy?
Biology: Ground ivy ( Glechoma hederacea ), also known as creeping Charlie, is a very difficult to control perennial broadleaf weed. It can often be seen growing in the shade and invading turfgrass and other mowed areas throughout the United States. Ground ivy thrives in moist, rich soils located in shaded areas, but will grow in full sun as well.
How does ground ivy reproduce?
Ground ivy reproduces by seeds and creeping stems that root wherever they touch the soil. This plant has shallow roots and forms a dense mat throughout the lawn, crowding out grasses. Although it is found primarily in shaded areas, ground ivy also survives in sunlight.
Does ground ivy have shallow roots?
This plant has shallow roots and forms a dense mat throughout the lawn, crowding out grasses. Although it is found primarily in shaded areas, ground ivy also survives in sunlight. Hand-pulling is not a good way to control ground ivy because the roots readily resprout into new plants.
When does ground ivy Bloom?
Light-blue to purple flowers, 1/2 to 3/4 inch long, bloom from April to July. Ground ivy was originally planted in some areas as a groundcover, but has now become a major weed in the North. It forms a dense mat throughout the lawn, crowding out grasses. Although it is found primarily in shaded areas, ground ivy also survives in sunlight.
Where does ground ivy grow?
Habitat: Ground ivy is one of the first to bloom in the spring. It is located in disturbed areas, open woods, forest edges, damp, shaded areas, lawns, gardens, pastures, road and railroad right-of ways, and waste grounds. It is occasionally found on river banks and floodplains.
How do you get ground ivy?
To get rid of ground ivy we suggest using a selective herbicide that contains dicamba such as 2 4-D Amine. This product is a good economical option and effective against many different broadleaf weeds while leaving desired grass types unharmed.
Is ground ivy an invasive species?
Glechoma hederacea, or Ground ivy, is an invasive perennial in the mint family. This aromatic, evergreen, creeper was introduced from Europe and can be quite weedy. It is often found on roadsides, lawns, shady spots, waste places, and thickets. Ground Ivy stems are creepers that help the plant spread.
How do you identify ground ivy?
Identification. Ground ivy is a member of the Lamiaceae family, which means it's a mint. Like all mints, its leaves are arranged oppositely on square stems. Its small 1/2 to one inch leaves are round to kidney-shaped with round-toothed or scalloped edges.
Is ground ivy poisonous to humans?
Ground ivy is POSSIBLY SAFE in the amounts used to flavor foods and in small doses as medicine. In some people, taking ground ivy by mouth in large amounts can cause irritation to the stomach and kidneys. Ground ivy is also POSSIBLY SAFE when applied to the skin for up to 8 weeks.
What is ground ivy good for?
The dried plant and crushed leaves are used to make medicine. People take ground ivy for mild lung problems, coughs, and bronchitis. They also take it for arthritis and other joint pain, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), stomach problems, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, bladder infections, bladder stones, and kidney stones.
What is another name for ground ivy?
Glechoma hederacea is an aromatic, perennial, evergreen creeper of the mint family Lamiaceae. It is commonly known as ground-ivy, gill-over-the-ground, creeping charlie, alehoof, tunhoof, catsfoot, field balm, and run-away-robin.
Is creeping Charlie the same as ground ivy?
Ground ivy (Glechoma hederaceae), also called creeping Charlie, is a common lawn weed problem.
Do bees like ground ivy?
Bees love the small purple flowers and its scalloped foliage is attractive in the landscape too, earning its other name of ground ivy.
Is ground ivy a wildflower?
Creeping Charlie, or Ground Ivy, is an invasive perennial. Stems: It grows from a creeping stem, (square stem like most mints) which rises up from 1 to 16 inches, but is usually prostrate with only the flowering parts erect to show off its blue-purple 5 part flowers.
What does ground ivy smell like?
Ground Ivy, Glechoma hederacea, is a creeping perennial that roots at the nodes and smells similar to mint when crushed or mowed. It's a prime weed of turfgrass and landscapes.
Can dogs eat ground ivy?
Ivy: Although a vine rather than a shrub, ivy is a common part of many landscapes. The foliage of certain types of ivy plants is dangerous to dogs, although not usually lethal. Ingestion can result in excessive salivation and drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, a swollen mouth and tongue, and difficulty breathing.
How do you prevent ground ivy?
Ground ivy is best controlled chemically by applying the herbicide Triclopyr. Triclopyr and 2,4-D combinations may also provide control however the best control occurs when using Triclopyr alone. Herbicide formulations that contain 2,4-D alone will not be effective for control.
What kills creeping Charlie but not grass?
What Kills Creeping Charlie But Not Grass? Herbicides containing Triclopyr, 2,4-D, and/or Dicamba will attack Creeping Charlie but won't harm your turf grass. This makes broadleaf herbicides much better for Creeping Charlie control than vinegar.
How do you get rid of ground ivy or creeping Charlie?
The best means of controlling creeping Charlie is with a postemergence broadleaf herbicide. As with any pesticide, always read and follow label directions. The best choice for homeowners is a weed killer containing salt of dicamba (3, 6-dichloro-o-anisic acid) or triclopyr.
How do I get rid of ground ivy in my lawn?
2:566:31How to Get Rid of Ground Ivy (4 Easy Steps!) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAreas until dry to get rid of ground ivy you'll need to use a post-emergent herbicide like 2-4-dMoreAreas until dry to get rid of ground ivy you'll need to use a post-emergent herbicide like 2-4-d amine 2-4-d amine is a liquid insecticide concentrate containing the active ingredient.
Where did ground ivy originate?
Native to Europe and the British Isles, ground ivy ( Glechoma hederacea) is considered to have been introduced to North America by early settlers. As an herb, it possesses several medicinal attributes for both the skin and certain internal ailments. It is also used as a flavoring principle in home brewing.
What is ground ivy?
Ground ivy is a creeping perennial that is sometimes referred to as creeping Charlie, gill-on-the-ground and gill-on-the-hedge. As a member of the mint family, the stem has a square cross section and produces adventitious roots at each node. It produces flowers that are bluish-purple in color with two lips. The leaves are kidney-shaped with blunt serrations along the margin, forming a dense carpet-like mat if left uncontrolled. It can spread fast under ideal conditions such as shade, weak stand of turf grasses and low mowing height. Under shaded conditions, which it prefers, the leaves are green, but in full sunlight, they can assume a purplish-red appearance.
What causes ground ivy to grow in lawns?
A poor turf system riddled with bare spots provides an opportunity for ground ivy to emerge. Shade, low mowing height, poor fertility and improper pH are factors that predispose a lawn to ground ivy invasion.
Is ground ivy a weed?
Creeping along, volunteering itself as a ground cover and finding its way into hedges, pavement crevices and flower beds, ground ivy is another ubiquitous weed found in lawns and gardens around the state. Some homeowners don’t mind it, and some even relish its faint minty aroma when mowed. But others consider this weed to be a hard-to-manage nuisance.
About
Despite its name, Ground-ivy is actually a member of the dead-nettle family and is not closely related to Ivy. It is an evergreen, creeping plant of woodlands, hedgerows and damp ground. It often forms clumps, spreading by means of overground runners that frequently root. It has a strong smell and violet flowers that appear from March until June.
How to identify
Ground-ivy has kidney-shaped, bright green leaves, with toothed margins, that stick out from the stem on longish stalks. Its violet flowers appear in whorls of two to four and are funnel-shaped. It smells strongly of blackcurrant or even tom-cats.
Did you know?
The fragrant leaves of Ground-ivy once made it a popular bittering agent for beer until Hops eventually replaced it.
How people can help
The Wildlife Trusts manage many woodland nature reserves sympathetically for the benefit of all kinds of wildlife. A mix of coppicing, scrub-cutting, ride maintenance and non-intervention all help woodland wildlife to thrive.
Growth habit
Low, creeping plant that roots at nodes; distinct odor when crushed; stems square in cross-section; leaves opposite, scalloped, rounded to kidney-shaped and 1/2 to 1 1/2 in. in diameter.
Reproduction
Mostly by creeping stems that root at the node; less commonly by seeds; flowers lipped, purplish-blue in whorls in upper leaf axils.
Management in lawns
Maintain healthy, dense turf that can compete and prevent weed establishment.
What is ground ivy?
Ground ivy is a member of the Lamiaceae family, which means it's a mint. Like all mints, its leaves are arranged oppositely on square stems. Its small 1/2 to one inch leaves are round to kidney-shaped with round-toothed or scalloped edges. The leaves are joined to the stem by long petioles, or leafstalks.
Why was ground ivy brought to the United States?
16th century British herbalist John Gerard recommended ground ivy for a host of maladies including jaundice, sciatica, tinnitus, and eye irritation . It was also a popular and effective ground cover.
How tall does a glechoma grow?
In addition to spreading by stolon, it also proliferates by seed. It's considered a ground cover, but Glechoma hederacea can reach heights of up to 20 inches when flowering, depending on where it grows.
How does ground ivy form mats?
It forms dense mats by sending out runners, or stolons, just above the soil surface. Each stolon can reach up to seven feet, and each leaf node sprouts roots that fasten the stolons to the ground. This in part is what makes ground ivy a difficult weed to eradicate.
Is creeping Charlie invasive?
Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea) Also known as Creeping Charlie and Gill-over-the-ground, ground ivy ( Glechoma hederacea) is a perennial non-native invasive plant that is naturalized throughout most of North America. Like many of our common edible weeds in the United States, it was introduced by early European settlers who brought it ...
What is ground ivy?
A low-growing, creeping weed with rounded, scalloped leaves grows in shady areas of the lawn. The nickel- to quarter-sized leaves grow at the end of a long leafstalk. Light-blue to purple flowers, 1/2 to 3/4 inch long, bloom from April to July. Ground ivy was originally planted in some areas as a groundcover, but has now become a major weed in the North. It forms a dense mat throughout the lawn, crowding out grasses. Although it is found primarily in shaded areas, ground ivy also survives in sunlight.
How does ground ivy reproduce?
Ground ivy reproduces by seeds and creeping stems that root wherever they touch the soil. This plant has shallow roots and forms a dense mat throughout the lawn, crowding out grasses. Although it is found primarily in shaded areas, ground ivy also survives in sunlight.
Is it safe to pull ground ivy?
Hand-pulling is not a good way to control ground ivy because the roots readily resprout into new plants. Ground ivy may indicate that the area is too shady for a lawn to grow.
Is ground ivy a weed?
Ground ivy was originally planted in some areas as a groundcover, but has now become a major weed in the North. It forms a dense mat throughout the lawn, crowding out grasses. Although it is found primarily in shaded areas, ground ivy also survives in sunlight.
Why do people take ground ivy?
Some people take ground ivy by mouth for mild lung problems, coughs, and lung inflamation ( bronchitis ). They also take it by mouth for arthritis and other joint pain, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), stomach problems, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, bladder infections, bladder stones, and kidney stones. Some women take it for menstrual (period) problems.
Can you use ground ivy on skin?
Some people apply ground ivy directly to the skin for wounds, suburn, ulcers, and other skin conditions. In food manufacturing, ground ivy is used as a flavoring.
Can you use ground ivy if you are breast feeding?
Kidney disease: Ground ivy contains a chemical that can irritate the kidneys. Don't use ground ivy if you have kidney problems.
Can you take ground ivy by mouth?
In some people, taking ground ivy by mouth in large amounts can cause irritation to the stomach and kidneys . Ground ivy is also POSSIBLY SAFE when applied to the skin for up to 8 weeks. It may cause stinging or itching in some people. Special Precautions and Warnings.
Is ground ivy safe for kidney stones?
Other conditions. More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of ground ivy for these uses. Ground ivy is POSSIBLY SAFE in the amounts used to flavor foods and in small doses as medicine.
Can you use ground ivy for liver problems?
Liver disease: Ground ivy contains a chemical that can harm the liver. It could make existing liver disease worse. Don't use ground ivy if you have liver problems. Epilepsy or another seizure disorder: Don't use ground ivy if you have epilepsy or a history of seizures.