Glechoma hederacea

This is my "Creeping Charlie" hanging in my back garden in the shade. What I knew about the plant was that it preferred the shade and moist soil, and it likes to be trimmed. This is the first time I have ever had one that grew this big and produce these orchid like flowers. Yesterday I was cutting some of my roses to make a center piece for Sunday, and I went to my "Creeping Charlie" to cut some vines for my arrangement, and I saw these tiny minute sweet flowers. I was so excited I took a picture and called my mother. They are so little and darling, I knew this would be my next species right from my back garden.

What I learned about this Plantae Species is my "Creeping Charlie" is called Glechoma hederacea from the Family: Lamiaceae - "Mint Family" Common Name: ground ivy, a difficult to control weed that most often frustrates professional lawn care operators.

Ground ivy is characterized by its coin shaped leaves with scalloped edges and square petioles (the blade that attaches the stem to the stalk) and stems. All plant parts have a strong mint oder when crushed or cut. Ground ivy's orchid like purple flowers appear for a short time in mid May. The flowers can easily be overlooked as they are often exhibited below the turf canopy. Which is probably why I never saw them before this.

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 lawns, and thus can be considered an invasive or aggressive weed.

Cultivation and Uses:
Glechoma is sometimes grown as a potted plant, and occasionally as a ground cover. A variegated variety is sometimes commercially available.

While often thought of as a weed because of its propensity for spreading, Glechoma has culinary and medicinal uses which were the cause of its being imported to America by early European settlers. The fresh herb can be rinsed and steeped in hot water to create an herbal tea which is rich in vitamin C. The essential oil of the plant has many potent medicinal properties; the plant has been used for centuries as a general tonic for colds and coughs and to relieve congestion of the mucous membranes. The plant has been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory properties. It has also been claimed to increase excretion of lead in the urine.[citation needed]

Its medicinal properties have been described for millennia, Galen recommending the plant to treat inflammation of the eyes, for instance. John Gerard, an English herbalist, recommended the plant to treat tinnitus, as well as a "diuretic, astringent, tonic and gentle stimulant. Useful in kidney diseases and for indigestion." It is also useful as a "lung herb".[1]

Glechoma was also widely used by the Saxons in brewing beer as flavoring, clarification, and preservative, before the introduction of hops for these purposes; thus the brewing-related names, Alehoof, Tunhoof, and Gill-over-the-ground.