Ground-ivy

Description:

Ground ivy has square stems and leaves which are attached in the center of the leaf, prominent rounded lobes on their edges, attached to the stems in an opposite arrangement, and have a hairy upper surface. Ground ivy emits a distinctive odor when damaged, being a member of the mint family. The flowers are bilaterally symmetrical, funnel shaped, blue or bluish-violet to lavender, and grow in opposed clusters of 2 or 3 flowers in the leaf axils on the upper part of the stem or near the tip. It usually flowers in the spring.

Habitat:

Glechoma hederacea is native to Europe and southwestern Asia but has been introduced to North America and is now common in most regions other than the Rocky Mountains. Glechoma thrives in moist shaded areas, but also tolerates sun very well. It is a common plant in grasslands and wooded areas or wasteland. It also thrives in lawns and around buildings since it survives mowing. It spreads by stolons or by seed. Part of the reason for its wide spread is this rhizomatous method of reproduction. It will form dense mats which can take over areas of lawn, and thus can be considered potentially invasive or aggressive weed. Glechoma has culinary and medicinal uses which were the cause of its being imported to America by early European settlers.