Glechoma hederacea 618804 219781551 2008-06-16T21:12:53Z 128.104.66.7 /* Control */ Update information on Borax for control. {{Taxobox | name = ''Glechoma hederacea'' | image = Bluszczyk kurdybanek cm01.jpg | image_width = 250px | regnum = [[Plant]]ae | divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]] | classis = [[Magnoliopsida]] | ordo = [[Lamiales]] | familia = [[Lamiaceae]] | genus = ''[[Glechoma]]'' | species = '''''G. hederacea''''' | binomial = ''Glechoma hederacea'' | binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]] }} '''''Glechoma hederacea''''' ('''Ground-ivy'''; [[synonymy|syn.]] ''Nepeta glechoma'' [[Benth.]], ''Nepeta hederacea'' ([[L.]]) [[Trevir.]]) is an [[Aroma compound|aromatic]], [[Perennial plant|perennial]], [[evergreen]] [[creeper]] of the mint family [[Lamiaceae]], native to Europe and southwestern Asia but introduced to North America and now common in most regions other than the [[Rocky Mountains]]. Its common names include Alehoof, Creeping Charlie (or Charley), Catsfoot (from the size and shape of the leaf), Field Balm, Run-away-robin, Ground Ivy, Gill-over-the-ground, and Tunhoof. It is also sometimes known as ''[[Creeping Jenny]]'', but that more commonly refers to ''[[Lysimachia nummularia]]''. It can be identified by its round to reniform (kidney or fan shaped), crenate (with round toothed edges) opposed [[Leaf|leaves]] 2-3 cm diameter, on 3-6 cm long [[petiole (botany)|petioles]] attached to square stems which root at the nodes. It is a variable species, its size being influenced by environmental conditions, from 5 cm up to 50 cm tall. Glechoma is sometimes confused with [[mallow|common mallow]] or ''[[Malva neglecta]]'', which also has round, lobed leaves; but mallow leaves are attached to the stem at the back of a rounded leaf, where ground ivy has square stems and leaves which are attached in the center of the leaf, more prominent rounded lobes on their edges, attach to the stems in an opposite arrangement, and have a hairy upper surface. In addition, mallow and other creeping plants sometimes confused with ground ivy do not spread from nodes on stems. In addition, ground ivy emits a distinctive odor when damaged, being a member of the mint family. The flowers of Glechoma are bilaterally symmetrical, funnel shaped, blue or bluish-violet to lavender, and grow in opposed clusters of 2 or 3 flowers in the leaf [[axil]]s on the upper part of the stem or near the tip. It usually flowers in the spring. 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 [[stolon]]s or by seed. Part of the reason for its wide spread is this [[rhizome|rhizomatous]] method of reproduction. It will form dense mats which can take over areas of [[lawn]], and thus can be considered an invasive or aggressive [[weed]]. ===Ecological aspects=== A number of wild bees fly upon this plant, including ''[[Anthophora furcata]]'', ''[[Anthidum manicatum]]'', ''[[Anthophora plumipes]]'', ''[[Anthophora quadrimaculata]]'', ''[[Osmia aurulenta]]'', ''[[Osmia caerulentes]]'', and ''[[Osmia uncinata]]''. ===Cultivation and uses===<!-- This section is linked from [[Beer]] --> [[Image:Illustration Glechoma hederacea0.jpg|left|thumb|]] 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 [[common cold|cold]]s and [[cough]]s and to relieve [[congestion]] of the [[mucous membrane]]s. The plant has been demonstrated to have [[anti-inflammatory]] properties. It has also been claimed to increase [[excretion]] of [[lead]] in the [[urine]].{{Fact|date=June 2007}} 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 disease]]s and for [[indigestion]]." It is also useful as a "lung herb".<ref>[http://www.courant.com/hc-healthhomehealing.artjun12,0,6251385.story A Healing Heritage], June 12, 2007, Joanna Poncavage, The Morning Call (Allentown, Pa.) </ref> Glechoma was also widely used by the [[Saxon people|Saxons]] in [[brewing]] [[beer]] as flavoring, clarification, and preservative, before the introduction of [[hops]] for these purposes; thus the brewing-related names, [[Ale]]hoof, [[Tun]]hoof, and [[gill (unit)|Gill]]-over-the-ground. [[Image:Warming-Skudbygning-Fig9-Glechoma-hederacea.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Glechoma hederacea [[seedling]]: ''cot'' = [[coteledon]]s; ''ga'' = auxiliary bud. From ([[Eugen Warming|Warming 1884]])]] ===Control=== As is often the case when a plant has this many familiar names, Glechoma is familiar to a large number of people as a [[weed]], a property it shares with many others of the mint family. It can be a problem in heavy, rich soils with good fertility, high moisture, and low [[boron]] content. It thrives particularly well in shady areas where grass does not grow well, although it can also be a problem in full sun. Small infestations can be controlled through hand weeding; repeated weeding is required because the plant is [[rhizome|rhizomatous]] and will continue to spread from its roots or bits of stem which reroot. Glechoma is unusually sensitive to [[boron]], and can be killed by applying [[borax]] (sodium tetraborate) in solution. The ratio is eight to ten ounces of borax dissolved in four ounces of warm water, diluted to 2.5 [[United States customary units|U.S. gallons]] of final solution, to be sprayed evenly over precisely {{convert|1000|sqft|m2|-2}} of lawn "no more, no less". Note that despite being a "[[nature|natural]]" treatment, boron is toxic to other plants and to animals at only slightly higher concentrations and, being an [[chemical element|element]], does not break down; therefore the long term effects of this technique on soil or [[groundwater]], although not well documented, can be assumed to be unfavorable. <ref>[http://www.extension.umn.edu/info-u/plants/BG522.html Creeping Charlie Control - Borax] University of Minnesota Info-U</ref>,<ref>[http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/1997/8-22-1997/borax.html Borax on Ground Ivy: Boon or Bane?] Horticulture and Home Pest News, Iowa State University</ref> More recent research discounts the efficacy of [[borax]], primarily because finding the correct concentration for a given area is difficult and the potential for damaging desired plants. <ref>[http://www.hort.wisc.edu/mastergardener/Features/weeds/creepingcharlie/creepcharlie.htm] University of Wisconsin<ref> Aside from mechanical removal or borax treatment, the other alternative for Glechoma infestation is use of commercial [[herbicide]]s. There is some disagreement over the effectiveness of various herbicides, with [[dicamba]] ([[Trimec]] and [[Weed-B-Gon]]) and [[2,4-D]] being described variously as both effective and ineffective by different sources. Some or all of the disagreement may be due to the existence of subpopulations which have differing susceptibilities to different compounds, as well as to differing rates of application. To avoid generating herbicide resistance, the same product should not be used several years in succession; rather, various products should be used in rotation. [[Triclopyr]] has also been described as effective, and [[Clopyralid]], [[Mecoprop|MCPP]], and [[quinclorac]] as ineffective. [[Fluroxypyr]] and [[Confront]] have also been described as effective, but sales of both are restricted to professionals. Two applications ten to fourteen days apart are necessary; also, the ability of the surviving plants to regenerate after 24 days can require a second treatment four or five weeks later, and even more followups. In addition, the timing of application may play a role in the effectiveness of the herbicide, as well as the perception of effectiveness. For instance, fall is usually the best time for use of [[broadleaf]] herbicides; however a slow acting herbicide like triclopyr applied in the fall may not appear to have been effective until the next growing season. Other techniques reported effective are to fertilize with greater than two pounds of nitrogen per thousand square feet annually, and use of the [[preemergence herbicide]], [[isoxaben]]. In extremely difficult cases, a short-lived full-spectrum herbicide such as [[Roundup]] is used to kill the entire lawn, and it is reseeded from start. == External links == {{commons|Glechoma hederacea|Glechoma hederacea}} * [http://altnature.com/gallery/Ground_Ivy.htm Ground Ivy at altnature.com] * [http://www.extension.umn.edu/yardandgarden/ygbriefs/h519borax.html Using Borax to Control Creeping Charlie] * [http://landscaping.about.com/cs/weedsdiseases/a/ground_ivy.htm Creeping Charlie, The Loveable Lawn Weed] * [http://www.courant.com/hrt-krtlifehomehealingaa20070611152605,0,4941573.photo detailed color photo] == References == <references/> * An HJ, Jeong HJ, Um JY, Kim HM, Hong SH. "Glechoma hederacea inhibits inflammatory mediator release in IFN-gamma and LPS-stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages"; Journal of Ethnopharmacology: Vol. 106, No. 3, pg. 418-24, 2006. *[http://www.ppws.vt.edu/scott/weed_id/glehe.htm Ground Ivy: ''Glechoma hederacea''] *[http://landscaping.about.com/cs/weedsdiseases/a/ground_ivy.htm Ground Ivy, AKA Creeping Charlie: Wild Groundcover] *[http://www.weedalert.com/weed_pages/wa_ground_ivy.htm Ground Ivy (''Glechoma hederacea'')] *[http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extnews/hortiscope/weed/grndivy.htm Questions on: Ground Ivy] *[http://www.agry.purdue.edu/turf/tips/2004/ivy910.htm Attempting Ground Ivy Control] *[http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Glechoma+hederacea ''Glechoma hederacea''] [[Category:Lamiaceae]] [[Category:Medicinal plants]] [[Category:Lawn care]] [[Category:Lawn weeds]] [[da:Almindelig Korsknap]] [[de:Gundermann]] [[es:Glechoma hederacea]] [[fr:Lierre terrestre]] [[fy:Tongerblom]] [[hsb:Poponc]] [[it:Glechoma hederacea]] [[lt:Šliaužiančioji tramažolė]] [[nl:Hondsdraf]] [[ja:カキドオシ]] [[no:Vårkorsknapp]] [[pl:Bluszczyk kurdybanek]] [[sk:Zádušník brečtanovitý]] [[fi:Maahumala]] [[sv:Jordreva]] [[uk:Розхідник звичайний]] [[zh:金錢薄荷]]