ground ivy
(Glechoma hederacea L.)

Overview

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 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

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

References