Family: Lamiaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 578 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Glechoma
Vegetable: False
Observations: Europe to Russian Far East and Xinjiang
Description
Gill-over-the-ground, known scientifically as Glechoma hederacea, is a perennial, evergreen creeper belonging to the mint family, Lamiaceae. Often referred to by other common names such as ground-ivy, creeping charlie, and alehoof, this resilient plant is native to Europe, extending its reach as far as the Russian Far East and the autonomous region of Xinjiang in China.
The plant was first documented by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753. Linnaeus, often cited as the author in botanical nomenclature, meticulously described Glechoma hederacea, highlighting its unique characteristics and widespread habitat.
Gill-over-the-ground thrives in a variety of environments, making it an adaptable species. It commonly grows in shaded, damp areas such as woodlands, gardens, and along hedgerows. The plant exhibits a creeping habit, forming dense mats on the ground by spreading through stolons, which can create a lush green carpet wherever it establishes itself.
Characterized by its kidney-shaped leaves with rounded teeth and a scalloped edge, Glechoma hederacea is often identifiable by its small, violet-blue flowers. These flowers typically bloom in the spring and early summer, adding a dash of color to the green foliage. The leaves are aromatic, exuding a minty fragrance when crushed, a trait shared with many members of the Lamiaceae family.
The plant has a fascinating history of use in traditional medicine and culinary practices. Historically, it has been utilized in herbal remedies for ailments such as respiratory issues and digestive problems. In brewing, it was once employed as a substitute for hops, lending its unique flavor to beer.
Despite its beneficial uses, Gill-over-the-ground can present challenges, particularly in garden management, due to its invasive nature. Its vigorous growth and widespread matting can outcompete other plants, often leading to its classification as a weed in some regions.
In summary, Gill-over-the-ground or Glechoma hederacea is a plant of notable tenacity and versatility, with a storied presence in botanical literature and a wide distribution across diverse geographic regions. Its rich history in traditional applications and the challenges it poses to gardeners today make it a plant of significant interest and study.
Common Names
Eng: creeping charlie, gill-over-the-ground, ground ivy, ground-ivy, groundivy, haymaids, field balm, run-away-robin
Deu: efeu-gundermann, gundermann
Dan: korsknap
Nor: aakerdull, falsk aakermynt, glatdull, hjærtdulla, jordreev, stinkmelisse, veekdull, ækkredull
Por: glechoma-bálsamo-do-apo, hera-de-canteiro
Nld: hondsdraf
Swe: jordreva, maahumala
Nob: korsknapp
Nno: krossknapp
Fra: lierre terrestre, glécome lierre, glécome lierre-terrestre
Fin: maahumala
Sme: eanahombil
Cym: eidral
En: Gill-over-the-ground, Ground-ivy, Ground ivy, Alehoof, Groundivy, Eorþifi, Creeping charlie, Haymaids, Field balm, Run-away-robin
Ar: لبلاب الأرض
Hy: Գետնաբաղեղ բաղեղանման
Az: Sarmaşıqvarı yersarmaşığı
Eu: Amuntz
Be: Блюшчык плюшчападобны
Bg: Бръшлянова самобайка
Ca: Heura de terra
Zh: 金錢薄荷, 金钱薄荷
Kw: Idhyow dhor
Hr: Dobričica
Cs: Popenec obecný
Da: Almindelig Korsknap, Korsknap
Nl: Hondsdraf
Et: Harilik maajalg
Fi: Maahumala, Rohtomaahumala
Fr: Gléchome lierre terrestre, Lierre terrestre, Glécome lierre, Glécome lierre-terrestre, Glécome Lierre terrestre, Lierre terrestre commun, Courroie de saint Jean, Gléchoma faux lierre
De: Gewöhnlicher Gundermann, Gundermann, Efeu-Gundermann, Efeu Gundermann, Efeublättriger Gundermann, Erd-Efeu, Gemeine Gundelrebe, Gundelrebe, Soldatenpetersilie
Hu: Kerek repkény
Io: Hederaceo
Ga: Eidhneán talún
It: Ellera terrestre comune
Kk: Шырмауық барқытжапырақ
Lt: Šliaužiančioji tramažolė
Gv: Ard-losserey
Se: Eanahombil
No: Korsknapp, Aakerdull, Falsk aakermynt, Glatdull, Hjærtdulla, Jordreev, Stinkmelisse, Veekdull, Ækkredull
Nb: Korsknapp
Nn: Krossknapp
Fa: پیچک باغی
Pl: Bluszczyk ziemny, Kurdybanek, Bluszczyk kurdybanek
Pt: Glechoma-bálsamo-do-apo, Hera-de-canteiro
Pt-br: Bálsamo-do-campo, Hera-de-canteiro
Ru: Будра плющевидная
Sr: Добричица
Sk: Zádušník brečtanovitý
Es: Bršljanasta grenkuljica, Hiedra sueca, Hiedra terrestre
Sv: Jordreva, Maahumala
Zh-tw: 金錢薄荷
Tt: Песи үләне
Zh-hant: 金錢薄荷
Uk: Розхідник звичайний
Wa: Coroye Sint-Djan (plante)
Cy: Eidral
Fy: Tongerblom
Synonyms
- Glechoma heterophylla (Opiz)
- Glechoma hederacea var. magna ((Mérat) DC.)
- Glechoma micrantha (Boenn. ex Rchb.)
- Glechoma hederacea var. grandiflora (Hoffmanns. & Link)
- Glechoma hederacea var. breviflora (Coss. & Germ.)
- Glechoma rigida (A.Kern.)
- Calamintha hederacea ((L.) Scop.)
- Hedera terrestris (Garsault)
- Glechoma hederacea f. rosea (Neuman)
- Glechoma intermedia (Schrad. ex Benth.)
- Glechoma lobulata (Kit.)
- Glechoma hederacea var. umbrosa (H.Post)
- Glechoma hederacea var. major (Gaudin)
- Glechoma hederacea var. montana (Lej.)
- Nepeta rigida ((A.Kern.) Beck)
- Glechoma hederacea var. grandifolia (Gray)
- Nepeta hederacea f. albovariegata (Makino)
- Glechoma longicaulis (Dulac)
- Glechoma hederacea subsp. serbica ((Halácsy & Wettst.) Soó)
- Glechoma serbica (Halácsy & Wettst.)
- Chamaecissos hederaceus ((L.) Nieuwl. & Lunell)
- Glechoma hederacea var. micrantha (P.Fourn.)
- Glechoma hederacea variegata (Abbey)
- Glechoma magna (Mérat)
- Glechoma hederacea f. verticillata (Bolzon)
- Chamaeclema hederacea ((L.) Moench)
- Glechoma hederacea subsp. glabriuscula ((Neilr.) Gams)
- Glechoma hederacea var. parvifolia (Gray)
- Glechoma repens (Gilib.)
- Glechonion hederaceum ((L.) St.-Lag.)
- Glechoma hederacea var. humilior (Klett & Richt.)
- Nepeta glechoma (Benth.)
- Glechoma bulgarica (Borbás)
- Glechoma rotundifolia (Raf.)
- Glechoma borealis (Salisb.)
- Glechoma hederacea brevipetiolatum (Kuntze)
- Glechoma hederacea villosa (Kuntze)
- Glechoma hederacea var. heterophylla ((Opiz) Lej. & Courtois)
- Glechoma hederacea microcalyx (Kuntze)
- Nepeta hederacea ((L.) Trevis.)
- Nepeta glechoma var. hirsuta (Benth.)
Distribution
- Albania (native)
- Altay (native)
- Austria (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- Corse (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Irkutsk (native)
- Italy (native)
- Kamchatka (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Khabarovsk (native)
- Kirgizstan (native)
- Krasnoyarsk (native)
- Krym (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Norway (native)
- Poland (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Primorye (native)
- Romania (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Tuva (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- West Siberia (native)
- Xinjiang (native)
- Yakutskiya (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Alabama (introduced)
- Alaska (introduced)
- Amur (introduced)
- Argentina Northeast (introduced)
- Argentina South (introduced)
- Arkansas (introduced)
- Azores (introduced)
- California (introduced)
- Colorado (introduced)
- Connecticut (introduced)
- Delaware (introduced)
- District of Columbia (introduced)
- Florida (introduced)
- Georgia (introduced)
- Idaho (introduced)
- Illinois (introduced)
- Indiana (introduced)
- Iowa (introduced)
- Kansas (introduced)
- Kentucky (introduced)
- Labrador (introduced)
- Louisiana (introduced)
- Maine (introduced)
- Maryland (introduced)
- Masachusettes (introduced)
- Michigan (introduced)
- Minnesota (introduced)
- Mississippi (introduced)
- Missouri (introduced)
- Montana (introduced)
- Nebraska (introduced)
- New Hampshire (introduced)
- New Jersey (introduced)
- New York (introduced)
- New Zealand North (introduced)
- New Zealand South (introduced)
- Newfoundland (introduced)
- North Carolina (introduced)
- North Dakota (introduced)
- Ohio (introduced)
- Oklahoma (introduced)
- Oregon (introduced)
- Pennsylvania (introduced)
- Rhode I. (introduced)
- South Carolina (introduced)
- South Dakota (introduced)
- Tennessee (introduced)
- Utah (introduced)
- Vermont (introduced)
- Virginia (introduced)
- Washington (introduced)
- West Virginia (introduced)
- Wisconsin (introduced)
- Wyoming (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Apr 18, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 7, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 7, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 20, 2019 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 18, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Apr 19, 2021 by Fabrice Bourriquet (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 11, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 2, 2022 by Jim Knopf (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 9, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 15, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Apr 27, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 17, 2022 by julpot (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 9, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 14, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 15, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Apr 15, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 31, 2020 by Kristopher Hesson (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 24, 2019 by Ha Anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 30, 2017 by Paul-Olivier Redon (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 12, 2020 by silentium saltus (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Oct 10, 2021 by David Demuez (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 10, 2022 by Petr Harant (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 10, 2019 by Andrei Contiu (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 2, 2017 by SPS Karvina (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 14, 2021 by Fabrice Bourriquet (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jun 5, 2019 by tim tim (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 18, 2021 by Jürgen Wiemann (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken May 17, 2021 by Sarah D (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 8, 2022 by Waldemar Zeja (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2926557)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:447338-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Glechoma hederacea L.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.0
Ph minimum: 6.5
Light: 5
Atmospheric humidity: 6
Bloom months: [‘mar’, ‘apr’, ‘may’]
Soil nutriments: 7