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Glechoma hederacea
  • Ground Ivy

a perennial evergreen member of the Glechoma genus in the family Labiatae.

248px
Niche
  • Soil surface
    Soil surface
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • Ground cover
    Ground cover
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Loamy to Heavy clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • ?
    Unknown
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Glechoma hederacea has 0 edible uses listed
Glechoma hederacea has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

A report in the medicinal uses says the plant should be used with caution, no reason is given. Another report says that the plant might be toxic to horses[1].

Edible uses

Notes

Young leaves - raw or cooked[2]. The leaves have a bitter flavour[3], they can be mixed into salads to add a slight aromatic tang[4]. They can also be cooked like spinach, added to soups etc or used as a flavouring[5][6]. Available very early in the year.

A herb tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves[5][7][6]. It is often used mixed with verbena leaves[4].

The herb has been added to beer in much the same way as hops in order to clear it and also to improve its flavour and keeping qualities[8][6]. This species was the most common flavouring in beer prior to the use of hops from the 16th century onwards[9].

Unknown part

Condiment
Tea

Leaves

Unknown use

Material uses

A good ground cover plant for shady places. It is rather vigorous though and can swamp smaller plants[10].
There are no material uses listed for Glechoma hederacea.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Ground ivy is a safe and effective herb that is used to treat many problems involving the mucous membranes of the ear, nose, throat and digestive system[11]. A well-tolerated treatment it can be given to children to clear lingering catarrh and to treat chronic conditions such as glue ear and sinusitis[11]. Throat and chest problems, especially those due to excess catarrh, also benefit from this remedy[11]. The leaves and flowering stems are anodyne, antiphlogistic, appetizer, astringent, digestive, diuretic, febrifuge, pectoral, gently stimulant, tonic and vermifuge[8][2][12][13][14][15][16]. They are best harvested in May whilst still fresh[8], and are dried for later use[9]. The leaves are used in the treatment of hypersensitivity in children and are useful in the treatment of kidney diseases and indigestion[8][2][12][13][14][15][16]. Applied externally, the expressed juice speeds the healing of bruises and black eyes[8]. Use with caution[12].

Unknown part

Anodyne
Antiphlogistic
Appetizer
Astringent
Digestive
Diuretic
Febrifuge
Miscellany
Pectoral
Stimulant
Tonic
Vermifuge

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Soil surface

Ecological Functions

Ground cover

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in situ as soon as it is ripe, or in the spring. Division in spring or autumn[17]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Glechoma hederacea. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a heavy soil and dappled shade[18][19]. Prefers a moist well-drained soil, succeeding in sun or shade[17].

A very invasive plant, spreading freely at the roots[20][19][9].

A good bee plant[21].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Glechoma hederacea. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Glechoma hederacea.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Glechoma hederacea
Genus
Glechoma
Family
Labiatae
Imported References
Edible uses
[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
Medicinal uses
[11][8][2][12][13][14][15][16][9]
Material uses & Functions
[10]
Botanic
[18]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Ground cover
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
?
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Soil surface
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.2 x 1 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Bees
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:Glechoma hederacea.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Glechoma hederacea.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Glechoma hederacea.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Glechoma hederacea.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Glechoma hederacea.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Glechoma hederacea.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Glechoma hederacea.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Glechoma hederacea.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Glechoma hederacea.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Glechoma hederacea.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Glechoma hederacea.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Glechoma hederacea.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Glechoma hederacea.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.4 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins ISBN 0-00-219060-5 (1974-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.2 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.58.6 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.4 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Royal Horticultural Society. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells. ISBN 0-304-31089-1 (1989-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.3 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.212.3 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.2 Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press ISBN 0192176218 (1969-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.114.2 ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X ()
    15. ? 15.015.115.2 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
    16. ? 16.016.116.2 Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre ()
    17. ? 17.017.1 Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)
    18. ? 18.018.1 Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)
    19. ? 19.019.1 Brown. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland. ()
    20. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    21. ? International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association. (1981-00-00)

    "image:Glechoma hederacea.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Glechoma_hederacea&oldid=77542"
    Facts about "Glechoma hederacea"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyLabiatae +
    Belongs to genusGlechoma +
    Functions asGround cover +
    Has common nameGround Ivy +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part + and Leaves +
    Has edible useSeasoning +, Unknown use + and Tea +
    Has fertility typeBee +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has imageGlechoma hederacea.jpeg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height0.2 +
    Has mature width1 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAnodyne +, Antiphlogistic +, Appetizer +, Astringent +, Digestive +, Diuretic +, Febrifuge +, Miscellany +, Pectoral +, Stimulant +, Tonic + and Vermifuge +
    Has primary imageGlechoma hederacea.jpeg +
    Has search nameglechoma hederacea + and x +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teheavy clayture preferenceHeavy clay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameGlechoma hederacea +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheSoil surface +
    Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +