Ground Ivy, Glechoma hederacea
Description
Ground Ivy is an aromatic, evergreen creeper in the mint family. It is aslo known as Gill-Over-The-Ground, Creeping Charlie, Alehoof and Field Balm, to name just a few! It has distinctive round to kidney-shaped leaves with round toothed edges and pretty, blue-purple tubular flowers. It is used as a salad green or pot herb in many countries. European settlers carried it around the world, and it has now become a well-established introduced and naturalized plant on many continents. It's smell is rather herby and very distinctive, reminding many people of another, unrelated species of plant that is used recreationally. It has traditionally been used to brew beer and also as a plant-based alternative to animal rennet in cheese-making.
Ground Ivy Checklist
Habitat
🌳 Deciduous Woodland.
🏡 Urban Green Spaces, including scrubland, parks and gardens.
🚜 Hedgerows, including field edges.
Season
🌸🌞🍂❄️ Jan - Dec
Leaves
☘️ Dark green, round to kidney-shaped with round toothed margins. In full sun they can tinge red.
Flowers
🌷 Small, two-lipped and funnel-shaped. Blue - purple in colour. Flowering April - May.
Stem
🌱 Square, slightly hairy. 20-25cm max height.
Edible Parts
☘️ Leaves
🌷 Flowers
Aroma / Taste
👃 Very distinced herby aroma. A cross between mint and sage.
👅 Herbal flavour, with a slightly bitter aftertaste.
ID Notes
🟩 ID Difficulty - Beginner
👀 The distinctive kidney-shaped leaves and funnel-shaped flowers are key identifiers of this plant.
👃 The distinctive herby smell is also a key identifier.
Uses
🥗 Salad - Leaves and flowers can be eaten raw and added to salads.
🌿 Herb - Leaves and flowers can be used to add flavour or as a pot-herb.
☕️ Beverage - Leaves and flowers can be used to make teas or other drinks.