# ground-ivy (*Glechoma hederacea*) Ground-ivy is a lovely green plant that grows close to the ground. It has pretty, round leaves and small purple flowers that bloom in spring. You can often find it in gardens and parks! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 80 - **Habitat:** Urban areas - **Also known as:** Alehoof, Creeping Charlie ![ground-ivy](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/20140330Glechoma_hederacea1.jpg&width=800) Photo: AnRo0002, CC0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:20140330Glechoma_hederacea1.jpg) ## Appearance The ground-ivy is a low-growing, creeping perennial with distinctive kidney to heart-shaped, scalloped leaves. Its small, trumpet-shaped flowers are typically purplish-blue and grow in clusters where the leaves meet the square stems, forming dense mats. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Lamiales - **Family:** Lamiaceae - **Genus:** Glechoma ## Interesting facts - If you crush its leaves, you might smell something minty or even a bit like catnip! - Its old name, 'alehoof', hints at its historical use to flavor beer before hops were common! - Some people call it 'creeping Charlie' because of how fast it creeps along the ground! - This tough plant can quickly recover from being stepped on or mowed, bouncing back stronger each time! ## Special abilities - **Rooting Renegade:** Ground-ivy has creeping stems that can root at their nodes, helping it quickly spread and colonize new ground. - **Shade Seeker:** This plant can thrive in deep shade, an adaptation that allows it to grow where many other plants struggle to survive. - **Scented Signal:** Ground-ivy's crushed leaves release a strong, minty aroma, a chemical defense that can deter hungry herbivores. - **Tough Treader:** Its low-growing, mat-forming habit helps ground-ivy withstand trampling and frequent mowing, allowing it to persist in lawns. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 5-20 cm - **Flower Size:** 1-2 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring to early Summer - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** Mild - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Its nectar-rich flowers attract these busy insects. - **Pollinates:** Buff-tailed bumblebee (*Bombus terrestris*) — Large bees visit its flowers, collecting nectar and pollen. - **Eaten by:** [Garden snail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-snail) (*Helix aspersa*) — Snails often graze on its leaves, especially young foliage. - **Eaten by:** [European rabbit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-rabbit) (*Oryctolagus cuniculus*) — Rabbits browse on its leaves when other food sources are scarce. ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Rapid Growing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rapid-growing): Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always check with an adult before touching or picking any plants. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify ground-ivy? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is ground-ivy? 5-20 cm ### How big are the flowers on ground-ivy? 1-2 cm ### When does ground-ivy bloom? Spring to early Summer ### Is ground-ivy edible? Yes ### Is ground-ivy toxic? Mild ### What is ground-ivy's lifecycle? Perennial ### How is ground-ivy pollinated? Insect ## Where to spot - [Audubon Place Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/audubon-place-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Barrington Civic Center Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/barrington-civic-center-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District - [Bear Meadows Natural Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bear-meadows-natural-area) — Pennsylvania, US · Nature Reserve - [Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/blackhand-gorge-state-nature-preserve) — Ohio, US · Nature Reserve - [Bloomingdale](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bloomingdale) — District of Columbia, US · Neighborhood - [Central Shelby Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/central-shelby-historic-district) — North Carolina, US · Historic District [View all places to see ground-ivy](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/ground-ivy) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Ground-ivy: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ground-ivy)