BACK to Plant Index BACK to Plant Index
Ground Ivy
(Glechoma hederacea)
Creeping Charlie, Gill-over-the-ground
"Gill" comes from the French "guiller", - to ferment.
This is a not a native plant.
It is found almost everywhere now ...although perhaps not out west.
According to the Audubon guide, this European introduction is "considered a weed" by some people....which implies it is considered a nice garden plant by others! It grows in shade or sun, and likes a bit of moisture.
Ground Ivy is found over most of the civilized world, brought there by travelers and traders. It has been used by mankind since ancient times. Gibbon says that long ago in ancient Greece and Rome it was a highly prized healing herb. Its popularity continued through the Middle Ages. Gerard, in his famous book, recommends it for "ache in the hucklebone"! (I haven't a clue!....)
DO NOT EAT IT IT unless you are an adult who does more research on it...
............KIDS ask your PARENTS.People still make tea from it as it is high in Vitamin C.
The leaves were once used to help ferment, or flavor, beer. A wine made with many herbs and citrus fruits uses ground-ivy.
Pinch a leaf and smell it. I like the odor.
The flowers are just right for very tiny bouquets for dolls.
The Creeping Charlie in our school garden is found just as you enter the garden, on the right. It shares the edge with violets. In good soil it can be used as a ground cover as it will make a good mat. It will be a pest if it gets into where you don't want it. (It rips up easily, but bits get left behind to start up again.)
In the giant scheme of pests, it isn't bad....it doesnt' seem to kill anything, just squeeze in around them in my Connecticut garden. I like it, but then I don't have "nice" lawns to be invaded by it.
There is a rare form of Gledchoma that has white or pink edges to the leaves!
Study Pointers:
- The history of beer is quite interesting. Histories of foods that have been used by people for thousands of years are fun to track down if you like being a historian or detective. The internet and public library are rich sources of information.
- A member of the Mint Family, this plant has the tell-tale square stems. Go see if you can find a piece to examine.
Check the Plant Index for other mint relatives so you can check out their stems too.
to Schoolyard Habitat Index
to Waddell School Introduction Page
to What's New! at the school
This site designed and maintained by Emma Craib
who welcomes your
comments and suggestions !