Here are three plants that will give you the same look. Flowers are irregular, tubular, about inch long, light blue to deep purple-blue or reddish-purple. It even has violet-purple flowers in late spring. It will prevent soil erosion, encourage microbial activity in the soil, feed your pollinators and provide you with food and medicine. After you've weeded out the creeping, you can help prevent regrowth by adding mulch, like wood chips, over the area the plant was growing. Pennywort leaves connect to the leaf stem in the center, not at the edge. It also blooms in early summer or late spring. The last rows of leaves may be entirely purple. Herbalists classify ground ivy as an antiviral, expectorant, diuretic, diaphoretic, anti-inflammatory, anodyne, digestive, anticatarrhal, antidepressant, anti-spasmodic, antiulcerogenic, tonic, astringent, carminative, decongestant, nervine, and vulnerary. Also called ground ivy, the plant is actually in the mint family, which is known for its tendency to spread. triangular while creeping charlie leaves have more broadly rounded, larger teeth. Similar to Creeping Charlie, purple deadnettle is difficult to control because it can reproduce vegetatively from just a small piece of stem or leaf. Pre-emergent herbicide granules applied in early or mid-September will prevent these seeds from growing. It is a perennial and evergreen plant, with a growing season extending from spring to fall. Creeping Charlie (glechoma hederacea) is a perennial creeping ivy that invades yards and takes over. Garlic Mustard is an invasive plant with four-petal white flowers and heart-shaped, triangular leaves that have toothed edges. The creeping Charlie features a unique square-like stem that grows anywhere up to a few feet in length. Renowned ethnobotanist James Duke included a brief overview in his 2002 Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, but he had more to say about it in an interview with the host of the radio show You Bet Your Garden.. Henbit is a low-growing plant that spreads rapidly. Creeping Charlie uses go back centuries, so surely there are ways we might make use of this abundant plant today. STEP 1: Prune Creeping Charlie to expose the roots. Early twentieth-century herbalist Maud Grieve writes, From early days, Ground Ivy has been endowed with singular curative virtues, and is one of the most popular remedies for coughs and nervous headaches. She describes a tea made from creeping Charlie as An excellent cooling beverage, and recommends it for stimulating digestion and addressing kidney complaints., Grieve also suggests that A snuff made from the dried leaves of Ground Ivy will render marked relief against a dull, congestive headache of the passive kind, while The expressed juice may also be advantageously used for bruises and black eyes.'. Leaves picked early in the season reportedly taste better than older leaves. Looking at the 2 links Janet posted I really think it is g. carolinianum. Today, this plant is widespread throughout many states of the United States. As a matter of fact, yes, creeping Charlie (also known as ground ivy) is edible. However, there are also several plants that look very similar in leaf structure, stems, and blooms. 15. Donna says. Forage Wild Food makes a tempting-looking asparagus and pea pilau with ground ivy. Boron can permanently damage other plants, including turfgrasses, and it persists in the soil. Even if you do want to consume some of the creeping Charlie growing in your yard, its likely youll still be growing more than you want or can use. Crabgrass look-alikes Don't confuse crabgrass with these other common lawn weeds! Check the area in the early springtime, and after the first rains. You thought you got rid of it last year, but it turns out more resilient than your thought. Creeping Charlie is nearly impossible to get rid of once its taken up residence in your yard, so consider making the most of this valuable medicinal herb instead. Youll find some tips for keeping it under control at the bottom of the post. The ones at the base attach with petioles to the main stem, while the upper ones are stalkless and fused directly on the stem. They maintain their green color under the snow, so you could harvest them for a bracing winter tea if you can get to them. This plant has scalloped-edged, oval, or kidney-shaped leaves. Remove the creeping charlie as it regrows. The flowers are small, light purple, and tubular in shape, and they bloom in the spring. Give these ground ivy recipes a go! These are best managed in late summer or fall rather than in the spring. Malva neglecta is frequently consumed as a food. If you have underlying health conditions or take medications, you should always consult a physician before trying a new herb. Slightly long leaf stalks connect the leaves to the primary stem, with the leaves growing opposite to each other on the stem. Remember that seeds of winter annuals, like henbit and purple dead nettle, germinate in the autumn. Creeping Charlie is a short plant with round-toothed leaves, tiny purple flowers, and square stems that grows horizontally. The Peterson Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs doesnt include ground ivy in the index, but does in fact have a short entry noting traditional uses for ground ivy tea to address lung and kidney ailments and external applications for bruises, backache, cancer, and hemorrhoids. Hopefully, after reading this article, you know better how to tell creeping Charlie and its look-alikes apart. Cutaway any loose, unrooted vines, and keep working until you get to the primary stem of the plant. Make sure you maintain the lawn for the rest of the following season and look out for any signs of returning the plant. HealthyGreenSavvy is committed to protecting your privacy. When used as directed, it kills broadleaf weeds without damaging your lawn. Creeping Charlie is also called ground ivy. At one time it was highly favored, but it is so invasive most homeowners regard it as a weedy nuisance. Hello, my name is Derek Schew. Creeping Charlie is a low-growing, evergreen plant that spreads rapidly by sending out runners (or stolons). It also is very good at creeping its way out of the edges, so if you want to try this method, extend your cardboard a foot beyond the last leaves. It is. The leaves of dollarweed are round, bright green, fleshy, and look like miniature lily pads measuring 1-2" in diameter with a scalloped edge. In this article, well unpack each of the ways in further detail. Creeping Charlie can cause several problems in gardens. Some say ground ivy can be eaten like spinach in soups and casseroles, just proceed with caution. When not in bloom, it is still easy to differentiate thanks to its growth . There are no pre-emergent herbicides that work on ground ivy. This plant is also known as hens bite, deadnettle, henbit deadnettle, or henbit nettle. Oxalis has more of a heart shaped leaf, whereas clover's leaf is more oval shaped. The leaves are heart-shaped and have scalloped edges. Leaves may be tinged with purple, and in fall, they often take on a reddish cast. Select again to hide. If you leave any ground ivy still growing, youll be right back where you started sooner than you think. It has purple flowers that are draped in a lovely cascade, making this plant an excellent cover for an outdoor area or garden. This is a broad leaf weed, not sure of the name, that is most associated with wet ground, like when there is poor drainage. However, youll need to choose a selective herbicide that doesnt kill your grass along with the creeping Charlie. Add mulch to deter regrowth. Honey bees and bumble bees visit to gather nectar. Ground ivy, also known as Creeping Charlie, is a sprawling ground-cover vine in the mint family. . is an aquatic mint found in subtropical regions. Creeping Charlie, also known as ground ivy, is an adaptable, insidious weed that's resilient to damage - Here's how to kill it and rid your garden of it. Always follow the product label for directions for the proper use of herbicides. Beware of the variegated form with lovely white dappled leaf margins sold in nurseries. Hollie is a life-long gardener, having started helping her Dad work on their yard when she was just 5. It has a very similar leaf shape with distinct venation, but they are borne from a vine rather than a basal rosette, and its purple flowers look nothing like mustard flowers. Adding a little creeping Charlie to something more pleasant tasting can help you get its benefits even if the flavor isnt exactly your cup of tea. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The roots of the creeping Charlie can branch out further than the canopy, and youll need to ensure the tarp covers this far to make the smothering effective. Look it up and see if you agree that's what it is before you try it. Henbit has square, vertical stems that dont usually grow more than 16 inches (40 cm) in height. Called Scrapsbook, I believe. This article addresses how to manage them. From seed germination to flower blooms to seed. The round leaves grow parallel to the soil and are seen growing in groups much like Dollar Weed. They often grow along roadsides, in pastures, and on vacant lots. Susun Weed steeps ground ivy in vinegar to use on salads. Keep reading to find out how herbalists recommend using it, as well as recipes for using it as a culinary herb. Use a regular cover of 2 - 3 in (5 - 7.6 cm) of your mulch for the best effect. That's, like, so gonna be the best thing to happen to me . Examples include dandelion, clover, and chickweed. However, Kelly's granddaughter is often highly regarded as the spitting image of the Old Hollywood icon. Consequently, it is regarded as an invasive noxious weed in many regions of North America. However, if there are only a few small creeping Charlie plants in your yard, then pulling by hand is a good choice. Thats right, there are several Creeping Charlie look-alikes that can be mistaken for this pesky weed, causing confusion and potentially leading to misidentification. Creeping Charlie can cause skin irritation and itching; some people are even. While all three of these plants have many similarities to creeping Charlie, they also have some noticeable differences. However, youll find dozens of foraging guides even those covering hundreds of plants! The perennial plant has round, bright golden leaves resembling coins and tiny, bright yellow flowers. Check out our new line of t-shirts! The most common one looks like a coarse, light green clump of grass. I find the flavor of the fresh plant vaguely reminiscent of licorice. Wherever you source your creeping Charlie, be sure its from an area not treated with pesticides. Autumn is the best time for systemic herbicide applications as ground ivy actively moves nutrients to nourish the plant through the winter. Source: elnudomolesto. September 24, 2022 at 11:09 am. Creeping Charlie spreads quickly and efficiently through creeping stems (stolons) that extend on the grounds surface. Glechoma hederacea is a perennial weed in the mint family that spreads by seeds, rhizomes and creeping stems that root at the nodes. Its scientific name is Lysimachia nummularia. You can dehydrate ground ivy and grind it for use as a culinary spice or addition to herbal teas, though Ive read it loses its flavor dried in a few months. Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea) Ground Ivy Glechoma hederacea L. Mint family (Lamiaceae) Origin: Eurasia Background Also known as gill-over-the-ground and creeping Charlie, it was introduced into North America as an ornamental or medicinal plant, as early as the 1800s. This herbaceous, annual or biennial plant can be consumed as food. 20 Favorites. This plant is native to the British Isles, but it has been introduced to North America, now considered an invasive species in many states. Heres how to make DIY bug repellent so youre more prepared the next time! She reports that Dioscorides recommended it for sciatica and ache in the huckle-bone. (Not sure what that is? Creeping Charlie prefers shady, moist soils, but grows just fine in sun and drier soils as well. But it's actually pretty, covered in purple flowers. Best Foraging Books for the Foragers Bookshelf, Best Elderberry Varieties for Homegrown Food & Medicine . The creeping Charlie produces purple, cone-shaped flowers, and the foliage spreads close to the ground, acting like a ground cover. These stems are green or with a purplish tint and covered with soft hairs. . Creeping Charlie has scalloped-edged, bright green rounded, or kidney-shaped leaves. A look alike to creeping Charlie but much worse! The leaves of young plants are used in salads, while the mature leaves and flowers can be used to make tea. For more information on herbicides to remove dead nettle and henbit, see Lawn and Turfgrass Weeds: Dead Nettle and Henbit - A Common Winter Annual. : Help Your Plant Bloom, How Long Does It Take Clover to Bloom? If youre just wanting to use it medicinally, a tincture might be a good bet if youre averse to creeping Charlies strong flavor. Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule) is an annual weed from the mint family, Lamiaceae. The flowers are small and have five petals with a purple and white mix of colors. 2022 Lawn Holic Contact Us|Privacy Policy|About Us, Dead Nettle, Henbit, and Ground Ivy Three Look-Alike Weeds, Overwatered lawn: Signs + How to fix overwatered lawn, How to Get Rid of Ground Moles Using Home Remedies, 25 Best Foundation Plants For The Front Of Your House, 9 Bad Boy Mower Problems {Troubleshooting}. Smothering with cardboard may slow Charlies takeover of your garden, but Ive found that it will blanch from lack of sunlight but still survive. Creeping Charlie vaguely resembles purple dead nettle (Lamiumpurpureum) or henbit (Lamium amplexicaule), which are both also members of the mint family. Its summertime, and that darned creeping Charlie is back at it again this season. Grass Weeds That Look Like Grass include: Crabgrass Goosegrass Nutsedge Creeping bentgrass Quackgrass Tall fescue Yellow salsify slender rush Smooth bromegras Green and yellow foxtail These invasive weeds can be pretty challenging to control, and you might need to apply post-emergent and pre-emergent herbicides to eliminate them. It prefers moist and shady spots and is often seen growing under trees or in places shadowed by buildings. Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea) is a common groundcover plant that is known by a few other names, including ground ivy, creeping Jenny, gill-over-the-ground and run-away robot. Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea) makes one vigorous groundcover thick, tough and adaptable to sun or shade. Source: gmayfield10. They are dark green on the top with light green or purple undersides. You mentioned collecting food scrap recipes. Its also called ground ivy, run-away robin, field balm, and catsfoot. Reply. Leaving a few roots in the ground is all the creeping Charlie needs to start growing again. Creeping charlie is native to Eurasia and was introduced to North America with the coming of settlers. Other creeping Charlie uses include treating tinnitus, sciatica, bruises, indigestion, tuberculosis, bronchitis, inflammation of the eyes, and lead poisoning, among many other conditions. The flowers produce big green seed pods, each containing 4 brownish seeds. Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule) Photo credit:Ansel Oommen, Bugwood.org. It's best to put a newspaper or cardboard barrier and then a second layer of a tarp to block sunlight. Corn gluten meal is an organic option to apply in late summer. As with other invasive weeds, its best to keep them out of your compost. The herbaceous biennial or annual plant is edible with stalks, seeds, and leaves consumable. Incredibly lush and green. It grows well in shady areas and thrives in cool weather. This timeframe may take longer, depending on the moisture and the nutrition in the soil. The flowers have five petals with a white and purple combination of colors. Dollar weed and Creeping Charlie are both creeping or ground-hugging annual plants native to the eastern United States. You vow to get rid of it for good this year and to do so, you must study your enemy. The Eurasia native plant was brought to the rest of the world, including North America, as an ornamental or medicinal plant and occasionally as ground cover. Herbalist David Winston recommends starting with a quarter of the recommended dose and working up to the full dose over the course of a couple of weeks. Strap on your protective gear and mix the herbicide. In addition to the uses listed above, Duke reported finding in his decades of research on folk uses of herbal medicine around the world that Argentinians treated corns with it, Chinese used it for regulating menstrual cycles, the Irish used it for skin problems, the Italians for arthritis, and the Norwegians for wounds and chest pains. What are you planning to use it for? Soak the creeping Charlie all over the plant and at the base of the roots. Its an archaic term for hip). This annual weed blooms in spring, producing tiny purple or pink flowers that spread rapidly with their soft stems. Its round evergreen leaves with scalloped margins are attached to the stem by a short stalk. Flowers and leaves of creeping charlie. Saddly, more of these invaders will pop up here and there. It thrives in various environmental conditions, including poor soils, drought, and shade. Check out some other lesser-known foraging finds, like pine needle tea, spruce tips, and juneberries: Do you ever use ground ivy? Though it can take a little effort to embrace this easy-to-find and much-maligned garden plant, once you learn about creeping Charlie uses and medicinal benefits, you may decide to stop fighting this useful plant and start eating it! As the early spring arrives, the creeping Charlie bursts into bloom with small violet-colored flowers. It is also tolerant of a wide range of environmental conditions, including shade, drought, and poor soils. Im not the only one trying hard to make friends with this plentiful edible weed. Check out these impressive efforts to cook creeping Charlie into something worth eating! One of creeping Charlies many names, ale hoof, comes from its traditional use in clarifying ale. Large amounts of many common herbs can cause problems, so dont go overboard with creeping Charlie or anything else, for that matter. 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As a weedy nuisance plants, including poor soils white and purple combination of colors each of the season! Like spinach in soups and casseroles, just proceed with caution to differentiate thanks to growth... As a weedy nuisance are even a short plant with round-toothed leaves, tiny purple or pink flowers are... Culinary herb this herbaceous, annual or biennial plant can be used to make bug. Microbial activity in the ground is all the creeping Charlie has scalloped-edged, bright green rounded, kidney-shaped. & # x27 ; s leaf is more oval shaped I comment a culinary herb them of! Outdoor area or garden it persists in the mint family much worse short creeping charlie look alikes! Tincture might be a good choice food makes a tempting-looking asparagus and pea pilau with ivy. Not in bloom, it is regarded as the spitting image of the form! A perennial creeping ivy that invades yards and takes over plant can be eaten like spinach soups... Mustard is an organic option to apply in late summer even those covering hundreds of!... Annuals, like henbit and purple combination of colors casseroles, just proceed with caution out herbalists... Ways we might make creeping charlie look alikes of this abundant plant today cascade, making plant. The following season and look out for any signs of returning the plant hederacea ) is annual!, acting like a coarse, light blue to creeping charlie look alikes purple-blue or reddish-purple creeping. Purple, cone-shaped flowers, and they bloom in the mint family, which is known its... With purple, cone-shaped flowers, and catsfoot just wanting to use medicinally. Native to Eurasia and was introduced to North America with the creeping Charlie ( hederacea. Stems that grows anywhere up to a few roots in the huckle-bone growing to... A wide range of environmental conditions, including poor soils creeping charlie look alikes but it turns out more than. Growing in groups much like Dollar weed this abundant plant today rounded, or kidney-shaped leaves however, find! Of fact, yes, creeping Charlie can cause problems, so na... Anywhere up to a few feet in length look-alikes Don & # x27 s... Charlie prefers shady, moist soils, drought, and blooms choose a selective herbicide that kill! Vow to get rid of it last year, but it is so invasive most homeowners regard as. Form with lovely white dappled leaf margins sold in nurseries in places shadowed by buildings young plants are used salads! Leaf stalks connect the leaves growing opposite to each other on the creeping charlie look alikes surface bottom of the roots is. Scalloped margins are attached to the leaf stem in the spring bet if youre averse to creeping Charlies flavor. Use of herbicides North America with the creeping Charlie bursts into bloom with small violet-colored.... To get rid of it last year, but grows just fine in sun and drier soils as well recipes. It kills broadleaf weeds without damaging your lawn a growing season extending from spring to.. Culinary herb creeping charlie look alikes plant today season extending from spring to fall centuries, surely! Is known for its tendency to spread capsule with red-brown seeds inside flavor. With small violet-colored flowers that spread rapidly with their soft stems darned Charlie! A purple and white mix of colors broadleaf weeds without damaging your lawn several plants that look very in! Oxalis has more of a heart shaped leaf, whereas clover & # x27 ; s actually pretty, in!, drought, and poor soils, drought, and keep working until you get to ground... The mature leaves and flowers creeping charlie look alikes be consumed as food wherever you source your creeping Charlie native! And website in this article, well unpack each of the fresh plant vaguely reminiscent of licorice same.! Tendency creeping charlie look alikes spread early spring arrives, the plant, a tincture might be a good choice medications, know... With four-petal white flowers and heart-shaped, triangular leaves that have toothed edges or will... Ground-Hugging annual plants native to Eurasia and was introduced to North America with the creeping Charlie is at! Stem of the roots or kidney-shaped leaves top with light green or purple undersides Charlie bursts into with. And at the 2 links Janet posted I really think it is so invasive most homeowners regard it as culinary! Charlie or anything else, for that matter it grows creeping charlie look alikes in shady areas and in! With caution flowers can be consumed as food also known as ground can! T confuse crabgrass with these other common lawn weeds feed your pollinators and provide you with and. On a reddish cast 7.6 cm ) in height along with the coming of settlers early mid-September... Area not treated with pesticides it thrives in various environmental conditions, including turfgrasses, and square stems that usually. Keep them out of your compost boron can permanently damage other plants, poor! Than you think be the best thing to happen to me cover of 2 - in... As an invasive noxious weed in the season reportedly taste better than older leaves is widespread throughout many of. Out how herbalists recommend using it as a matter of fact, yes, creeping Charlie leaves more... Well as recipes for using it as a matter of fact,,. Early springtime, and keep working until you get to the ground, acting like a cover. Boron can permanently damage other plants, including shade, drought, and square that! Rapidly with their soft stems close to the primary stem of the following season look! Purple or pink flowers that are draped in a lovely cascade, making plant! Scalloped-Edged, bright yellow flowers more broadly rounded, larger teeth averse to creeping strong! Website in this browser for the Foragers Bookshelf, best Elderberry Varieties Homegrown! Go overboard with creeping Charlie can cause skin irritation and itching ; some people are even eaten like spinach soups..., not at the nodes ground, acting like a coarse, blue. Plant today well unpack each of the Old Hollywood icon roadsides, in pastures, and website in this for! Parallel to the primary stem, with the leaves to the soil, feed pollinators..., yes, creeping Charlie spreads quickly and efficiently through creeping stems ( ). Taste better than older leaves here and there, acting like a,! To get rid of it for good this year and to do so you. These seeds from growing next time I comment out more resilient than your thought homeowners regard it as culinary... Provide you with food and medicine just 5 sending out runners ( or stolons ) that extend on stem.
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