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Ground Ivy, Gill-over-the-ground, Haymaids, Creeping Charlie - Glechoma hederacea


Family: Lamiaceae - Mint family Genus Common Name: Glechoma Native Status: IntroducedDicot Perennial Herb
Glechoma hederacea - Ground Ivy, Gill-over-the-ground, Haymaids, Creeping Charlie. This introduced plant has small attractive, colorful blossoms, but it is quite invasive, pushing out other weed plants. It is found in all but 4 of our states.

Its name implies its growth pattern, with the stems trailing along the ground. The stems may be up to 18 inches long, and form roots at the nodes. Large mats of the plant may form. Over the years I have learned to hate this plant in spite of its lovely little flowers.

Found in:
AK, AL, AR, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY

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Glechoma hederacea

Distribution of Glechoma hederacea in the United States and Canada:
USDA Map temporarily unavailable.
Blue=Native; Grey=Introduced

Map from USDA Plants Database:
USDA, NRCS. 2017. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 08 May 2025). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.

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Site: Walker County, Ga Date: 2010-April-04Photographer: Gerald C. Williamson
Nikon D60
The flowering stems of Ground Ivy may rise up to 8 inches above the mat of a colony's main stems. They have the typical mint family shape, and are a colorful light purple.
Glechoma hederacea
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Glechoma hederacea initially published on USWildflowers.com 2010-08-14; Updated 2015-06-25

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