| Weed |
Ground
ivy, also known as creeping Charlie |
| Scientific
Name |
Glechoma
hederacea |
| Family |
Mint
family (Lamiaceae) |
| Life
Cycle |
Cool
season perennial |
| Reproduction
Method |
Reproduces
by seed and root pieces. |
| Appearance |
It
may form patches in turf as it creeps on square stems that can grow up to
2 1/2 feet long, sometimes rooting at the nodes. Occasionally the stems
grow in an ascending fashion. |
| Leaves |
Leaves
of ground ivy are opposite, round to kidney shaped, and 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches
in diameter. They may be smooth or hairy, medium to dark green, have long
petioles and a rounded, toothed margin. They produce a minty odor when crushed. |
| Flowers |
The
flowers are small, lavender to blue-purple, funnel shaped and clustered
in leaf axils. Ground ivy flowers occur April to June. |
| Occurrence |
This
weed normally occurs in shaded sites with poorly drained, fertile soils.
It can spread into sunny areas. |
| Non
Chemical Control |
To
control ground ivy without chemicals, maintain turf density and health through
proper culture and alter the turf environment by reducing shade and soil
moisture. Mechanical removal is difficult and rarely effective. |
| Chemical
Control |
 |
 |
| Application
Period |
Apply
postemergence herbicides in mid spring to early summer and/or mid to late
autumn when it is actively growing. |
| Active
Ingredient in Labeled Products |
Preemergent
|
Postemergent
|
|
|
- 2,4-D
- 2,4-DP
- clopyralid
- dicamba
- MCPA
- MCPP
- triclopyr
|
|
| Notes |
Ground
ivy is difficult to control, and has been used as ground cover in shady
areas. |
(Click
on Image to Enlarge and Sharpen Photograph)
|
Ground
ivy 2nd leaf
|
Ground
ivy mature plant
|
Ground
ivy in turf
|
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Ground
ivy in bloom in turf
|
Ground
ivy square stem
|
Ground
ivy runner
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| Confused??
Look-a-Likes |
Ground
ivy is often confused with mallow and common violets. Click here
for clarification. |
