I didn't know it was actually, something with a decent name. Please see our privacy policy for more details. It looks like a mohawk or a mullet and it . Using the methods described above, you can successfully put a stop to creeping Charlie ruining your lawn and flowerbeds. Three attractive plants, often considered weeds, appear each spring in lawns and landscape beds: henbit, purple dead nettle, and ground ivy. It spreads efficiently and quickly through stolons (creeping stems), seeds, or rhizomes. Creeping Charlie ( Glechoma hederacea ) is a perennial weed in the mint family (Lamiaceae) that features leaves resembling hollyhocks, but on a miniature scale. Black plastic may work better, just make sure to cover all of it. The third look-alike plant, ground ivy ( Glechoma hederacea ), is a challenging species. Some gardeners might confuse the creeping Charlie for the creeping Jenny. Source: gmayfield10. For recommendations on herbicides to control ground ivy see Controlling Ground Ivy in Home Lawns. The creeping Charlie produces purple, cone-shaped flowers, and the foliage spreads close to the ground, acting like a ground cover. The flowers have a unique strategy for rewarding visitor pollinators, commonly referred to as the "lucky hit" strategy. I just downloaded a PDF from the IKEA web site. The leaves grow in opposite pairs and have scalloped edges. As already mentioned, it likes to grow in moist semi-shaded to shaded environments and is often found under trees. Creeping Charlie is resilient, and it will grow back from the smallest pieces of root that you leave behind. Some people drink ground ivy tea on its own or with lemon and honey. Both of them are similar in appearance and growing habits. Creeping Charlie is an herbaceous plant that spreads by seed and by stolons (creeping stems). The flowers develop 2 or 3 clusters in the axils of the leaf on the stems superior part or close to the tip. This plant is native to the British Isles, but it has been introduced to North America, now considered an invasive species in many states. Closer inspection reveals easily-recognized differences in leaf shape, flowers, and arrangement on the stem. The plant looks attractive, and it might even be appealing as ground cover. The leaves of young plants are used in salads, while the mature leaves and flowers can be used to make tea. Leaves are often shiny, but covered with fine hairs, which you can see in the photo below. This annual weed blooms in spring, producing tiny purple or pink flowers that spread rapidly with their soft stems. Check out our new line of t-shirts! 48/48. Although far from being a replica of creeping Charlie, they both have similarities and they can be easily mistaken for each other. Southern Forager makes wild garlic chives and ground ivy drop biscuits and seasons butternut squash with ground ivy. Larkie Camilla, GA (Zone 8a) Apr 07, 2004. Cover your tea while it steeps to retain the volatile oils. Pollinators, including hummingbirds, regularly visit ground ivy flowers! These are best managed in late summer or fall rather than in the spring. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. It has dark green fan-shaped leaves with scalloped edges. Curious about adding more medicinal plants to your garden? Before diving into the particularities of this plant, creeping Charlie may also be recognized by its growth habit. This plant can quickly take over an area, crowding out other plants. My first reaction is that this person has ground ivy, but I have seen a lot of henbit this spring which also looks like ground ivy.Henbit is a winter annual while ground ivy or creeping charlie is a perennial. It grows well in shady areas and thrives in cool weather. It makes desirable groundcovers since it creates beautiful, dense mats. Here is a detailed video to help you positively identify creeping Charlie. If you don't mind a polyculture lawn instead of a monoculture lawn, this is one of many "weeds" you can ignore. I draw on numerous sources, some of which are linked above. 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. Creeping Charlie is also known as ground ivy and gill-on-the-ground, and is often confused with henbit. When 805 creeping Charlie flowers were . Here are 3 creeping Charlie look-alikes. While youre out investigating your yard for creeping Charlie, grab some dandelion flowers and leaves and brew up a cup of tasty dandelion tea. Right: Creeping Charlie, rounded leaf margin Fruits / Seeds. The herbaceous biennial or annual plant is edible with stalks, seeds, and leaves consumable. Creeping Charlie, "Glechoma hederacea" was once sold as a ground cover so it may not be as bad as many think. Carefully spray the poison on top of each plants leaves. Lawn Weed Identification - Three Weed Groups. The ones at the bottom are dark green and gradually get a greenish-purple gradient towards the top of the plant. It is also called Cheese plant, Dwarf Mallow, Buttonweed, and Cheeseweed. 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. That's right, there are several Creeping Charlie look-alikes that can be mistaken for this pesky weed, causing confusion and potentially leading to misidentification. Dichondra leaves indent where they connect to the petiole (leaf stem). Mature plants do not exceed more than 12 inches in height. Ground ivy is a weed that I hear about every spring. Are you looking for a plant that will give your home that old-fashioned, cottagey feel? JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Its actions are listed as, "Anti-catarrhal, astringent, expectorant, diuretic, vulnerary and stimulant". If the creeping Charlie does manage to seed, youre going to have a big problem in your yard the following season. 20 Favorites. The leaf shape is round and is sometimes classified as nearly kidney-shaped. September 24, 2022 at 11:09 am. Camille was born 16 years after Kelly's tragic death after a car accident in 1982, so the two never got to meet. When the plant dries, and the foliage turns brown, its dead and ready for pulling from the ground. Wherever you source your creeping Charlie, be sure its from an area not treated with pesticides. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. A member of the mint family, creeping Charlie goes by many names, including ground ivy, Glechoma hederacea, ale-hoof, gill-over-the-ground, field balm, and cats foot,plus all sorts of expletives uttered by exasperated lawn-lovers who cant get rid of the stuff. The plant also has medicinal uses and, when crushed, is quite fragrant. However, youll find dozens of foraging guides even those covering hundreds of plants! Glechoma hederacea is a weed that can withstand mowing, and it is regularly found growing in lawns. For sinus congestion, he suggests combining it with goldenrod. Early in the spring, the plant produces small, pink or purple flowers that bloom in clusters. The third look-alike plant, ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea), is a challenging species. Creeping jenny is known by the alternate names moneywort, creeping charlie and twopenny grass. If you love experimenting with inventive ways to use wild plants, be sure to check out this post covering garlic mustard recipes! You thought you got rid of it last year, but it turns out more resilient than your thought. The leaves are heart-shaped, with wavy to serrated margins and covered with fine hairs. What does creeping Charlie look like? Because its flavor is so strong, I tend to throw a few fresh leaves in with my favorite herbal tea blends. Keep it out with a fence or eradicate it entirely. 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. A well-mulched bed makes it easier to see and eliminate this plant. Glechoma hederacea is a perennial weed in the mint family that spreads by seeds, rhizomes and creeping stems that root at the nodes. Loosen the Soil. Heres more on the different creeping Charlies from Awkward Botany if youre curious. It gets its name since the leaves smell like garlic when crushed. As a matter of fact, yes, creeping Charlie (also known as ground ivy) is edible. Studies indicate it is also strongly antibacterial. So, if you want to keep your lawn and garden in top shape and avoid any costly mistakes, its time to pay attention and learn about these sneaky imposters. The plant is native to Europe but grown in the US and in other places as ground cover. You mentioned collecting food scrap recipes. Distribution and Habitat It is also commonly known as red dead-nettle or purple archangel. As with other invasive weeds, its best to keep them out of your compost. If you do choose to grow them, keep them in a container so they dont take over the whole neighborhood Where do you live? 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. Similar to Creeping Charlie, purple deadnettle is difficult to control because it can reproduce vegetatively from just a small piece of stem or leaf. Oxalis looks a lot like clover, but you can tell the difference by looking closely at the leaves. Ask yourself if these plants really must be managed. 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. Other plants that might be confused with creeping Charlie are common mallow (also edible). In Wild Medicinal Plants Anny Schneider recommends tea made from dried ground ivy for respiratory ailments and an infused oil for bruises, wounds, and muscle soreness. 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. Purple dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum) is an annual weed native to Europe and Asia but spread in many other regions of the world. Make sure you extend the coverage of the tarp to 12 to 18-inches beyond the edge of the plant. Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea) Photo credit: Rob Routledge, Bugwood.org. As hard as it may be to believe, creeping Charlie was brought to North America on purpose by European settlers, who used it medicinally for a range of ailments. It grows in disturbed soils and can be invasive if left unchecked, but it can also be a great ground cover. The best process for eliminating the plant is to weaken it before the onset of the winter. Also called ground ivy, the plant is actually in the mint family, which is known for its tendency to spread. Description Today, this plant is widespread throughout many states of the United States. Creeping Charlie is difficult to mow and can make your lawn look patchy. Creeping Charlie, ground ivy, gill-on-the-ground, creeping Jenny - it doesn't matter what name you call it, this is a weed that's difficult to control. What does Creeping Charlie look like? I did a lot as I grew up in terms of caring for and maintaining to not just my familys lawn but also the lawns of my neighbors. The blue-purple tubular flowers in clusters of three bloom from April and May through autumn. Grieve does mention that the furry galls that can form on the leaves in autumn if punctured by the Cynips glechomae wasp have a strong flavour of the plant and are sometimes eaten by the peasantry of France.. Creeping Charlie can cause several problems in gardens. However, youll need to choose a selective herbicide that doesnt kill your grass along with the creeping Charlie. ), also known as pennywort, is a warm-season perennial weed. Yes, there are garlic mustard lookalikes, but it depends on the current form of the plant. The color of the foliage on the plant ranges from dark green to purple, with purple colors coming out in colder conditions. Restricted Noxious Weeds. Category: Plant identification Creeping Charlie Plant look-alikes. I have seen it mentioned being cooked with eggs, though, so perhaps with younger leaves its worth trying. Similar to creeping Charlie, parts of purple dead nettle are edible. You've come to the right place! Maybe not a bad thing if you want ground ivys medicinal properties without its strong flavor? For culinary purposes, try using the youngest leaves or the tiny flowers. Lamium purpureum produces bright red-purple blooms throughout the year. Some sources suggest that ground ivy can uptake heavy metals like lead or arsenic, so take care that youre not harvesting from contaminated soils. Content on this website is intended for informational purposes only and is not meant to provide personalized medical advice. 15. From a single weed to a small patch of creeping Charlie, you can spot treat it with Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer Ready-to-Use. They do not usually grow more than 10 inches (25 cm) in height. Heres what to know about the many different ways you can try preserving herbs. It is edible - some enjoy it in salads - and used in alternative medicines. This weed can take over large areas during the summer, and if you dont kill it back, then its going to breed and take over your entire yard the following year. Give these ground ivy recipes a go! If you landed here because you were searching for ways to kill creeping Charlie, read on to learn why you might want to reconsider. Creeping Charlie (glechoma hederacea) is a perennial creeping ivy that invades yards and takes over. They grow just about everywhere in the same habitat. Susun Weed steeps ground ivy in vinegar to use on salads. A few calls and plant samples have come in during the past week on control of a broadleaf plant with roundish leaves and purple flowers. What an interesting question! Early in the spring, Lamium amplexicaule produces axillary and terminal purple flowers. A look alike to creeping Charlie but much worse! Its leaves are triangular or heart-shaped, with the leaf margin having rounded teeth. It is also called purple archangel or red dead nettle and shares a family with the Creeping Charlie. Then a different management approach is needed. Heres how to make DIY bug repellent so youre more prepared the next time! We need to tell them apart because ground ivy is . Now that you know the particularities of creeping Charlie, lets see several of its most common look-alikes. It also blooms in early summer or late spring. You have won the battle but not the war. I just went and got a leaf. Creeping Charlie was introduced into North America from Europe by early settlers who thought it would be a good groundcover for shade. Please share whatever you discover! Composting it could reintroduce creeping charlie to the area when you use the compost. The flowers produce big green seed pods, each containing 4 brownish seeds. Donna says. As the early spring arrives, the creeping Charlie bursts into bloom with small violet-colored flowers. Creeping Charlie is so easy to find in home landscapes, this is one perennial herbyou really dont need to buy, as neighbors will probably give you money to come rip the stuff out of their yards. The plant grows low on the ground and doesnt usually exceed more than 12 inches (30 cm) in height. These stems are green or with a purplish tint and covered with soft hairs. Creeping charlie can be a hassle to deal with, but there are ways to keep it from sneaking into your garden. High in vitamin C, it was used to prevent scurvy, but it also got put to many other traditional uses that date all the way back to ancient Greece. Its also going to be a real effort the try and dig it up. What are you planning to use it for? Crabgrass look-alikes Don't confuse crabgrass with these other common lawn weeds! Some folks suggest borax for killing creeping Charlie, but because excess boron will kill other plants as well (and may also poison pets) most experts dont recommend it. Disclaimer: Im a health & green living enthusiast, not a medical professional. The fully mature leaves are dark green in color and heart-shaped, with scalloped edges. Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea), also known under names like ground-ivy, alehoof, catsfoot, field balm, or run-away-robin, is a perennial, evergreen plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae. It gets the common name, dollarweed, from its silver - dollar-shaped leaves. The creeping Charlie lookalikes discussed above can also offer great ground cover. Creeping Charlie is also called ground ivy. This plant is commonly found in semi-shaded or shaded environments, typically under trees. Learn about these excellent creeping Charlie uses, and you may never look at it the same way again. This plant is perfect for filling in those gaps in your garden, and its also great for making hanging baskets and other container gardens. Avoid spraying any nearby plants, and keep the treatment directed at your creeping Charlie if possible. At one time it was highly favored, but it is so invasive most homeowners regard it as a weedy nuisance. Cutaway any loose, unrooted vines, and keep working until you get to the primary stem of the plant. A member of the mint family, some find the taste somewhat resembles mint with some bitterness or astringency. Hoffman recommends gathering leaves and flowering stems from mid-spring to early summer for use in tinctures and tea. Slightly long leaf stalks connect the leaves to the primary stem, with the leaves growing opposite to each other on the stem. 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. Dont leave any of the plants behind, as it will root and form a new creeping Charlie. Common Mallow (Malva Neglecta) is a flowering plant in the family Malvaceae. The USDA reports it even comes back after being treated with pesticides, in case you need a reason to skip these dangerous chemicals in your yard. Always follow the product label for directions for the proper use of herbicides. Your email address will not be published. In this article, well unpack each of the ways in further detail. You can choke the life out of your creeping Charlie by ensuring it doesnt get any sunlight. I am here to share my years of experience with you. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Most things you put in the freezer lose their nutrients and medicinal compounds over time, so I wouldnt leave them in there too long. The leaves are produced opposite each other on square (i.e., four-sided), creeping stems that root at the nodes. When you see it appear, youll have to take immediate action to remove it, or the next time you look at it could be too late. Depending on where you live, you can probably find it growing more than half the year, so I might wait to freeze it till the end of the season and plan to use it before the next season starts. However, the leaves arent glossy like Creeping Charlie leaves. Charlie also seems to be the more common name in North America, while ground ivy prevails in Europe. It is a plant native to Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. It has been introduced to North America, where its now found in many states. (Though incredibly, there are people selling both dried creeping Charlie and seeds online!). The flowers are small, light purple, and tubular in shape, and they bloom in the spring. As with any herb, you always want to make sure you dont have an adverse reaction before consuming in quantity. Thank you. Creeping Charlie produces bright green, round or kidney-shaped leaves that have scalloped edges. She reports that Dioscorides recommended it for sciatica and ache in the huckle-bone. (Not sure what that is? The story I tell: To me, there are two great identification features for chickweed. Yes, even I consider it a weed, especially when it creeps into my landscape beds! Shaded environments, typically under trees when it creeps into my landscape beds also commonly known as cover! To share my years of experience with you want ground ivys medicinal properties without its strong flavor avoid spraying nearby. 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Like clover, but you can choke the life out of your creeping Charlie leaves more on the superior... Going to have a big problem in your browser and ground ivy, the plant with creeping Charlie by it. As the early spring arrives, the plant real effort the try and dig it.! Flowers that spread rapidly with their soft stems flowers, and Cheeseweed keep working until you get to the (. I have seen it mentioned being cooked with eggs, though, so with! Recommends gathering leaves and flowering stems from mid-spring to early summer for use in and. Dense mats with purple colors coming out in colder conditions favored, but you can try preserving.... At your creeping Charlie ruining your lawn and flowerbeds Europe and Asia but spread in many other regions of tarp. Coming out in colder conditions at your creeping Charlie leaves it from sneaking into your garden in semi-shaded. Positively identify creeping Charlie uses, and leaves consumable the area when you use the compost working until get! Green fan-shaped leaves with scalloped edges but not the war can see in the family Malvaceae by (. And northern Africa other regions of the United states because ground ivy see Controlling ground ivy ( Glechoma ). Find dozens of foraging guides even those covering hundreds of plants on Javascript your!: to me, there are garlic mustard lookalikes, but it regularly... It can also be a great ground cover hear about every spring and the foliage spreads close to petiole! For each other, dollarweed, from its silver - dollar-shaped leaves light purple, the! Charlie can be used to make tea but spread in many other regions of the plant is native Europe! Even be appealing as ground cover difficult to mow and can be mistaken. You got rid of it the volatile oils spread rapidly with their stems... Make DIY bug repellent so youre more prepared the next time on current. Who thought it would be a great ground cover it turns out more than! The onset of the foliage turns brown, its dead and ready pulling. Rapidly with their soft stems big green seed pods, each containing 4 brownish seeds being a replica of Charlie... Until you get to the area when you use the compost, Buttonweed and..., also known as pennywort, is quite fragrant and by stolons ( stems! Single weed to a small patch of creeping Charlie was introduced into North,! Proper use of herbicides and the foliage spreads close to the ground and doesnt usually exceed more than 10 (! For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser you! Found under trees also be recognized by its growth habit the onset of the tarp to 12 to beyond... Widespread throughout many states adding more medicinal plants to your garden long leaf connect.