Glechoma hederacea

Glechoma hederacea L.

Glechoma hederacea

Glechoma hederacea, commonly known as ground-ivy or creeping charlie, is an aromatic, perennial, evergreen creeper. It has round to reniform leaves with crenate edges and square stems that root at the nodes. The plant spreads by stolon or seed and can grow from 5 to 50 cm tall. Its flowers are bilaterally symmetrical, funnel-shaped, and typically blue or bluish-violet to lavender, growing in clusters of two or three in the leaf axils. The plant is gynodioecious, with genets being either female or hermaphrodite.

Details

Order:

Lamiales

Family:

Lamiaceae

Genus:

Glechoma

Chemistry:

Glechoma hederacea contains bioactive volatile oils, including terpenoids and pulegone. These compounds are responsible for the characteristic 'minty' odor and taste of plants in the mint family. The concentration of volatile oil in G. hederacea is less than 1/30th that found in European pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium).

Uses:

Glechoma hederacea has been used traditionally as a salad green and in herbal medicines. It has medicinal properties such as anti-inflammatory, diuretic, astringent, tonic, and gentle stimulant. It has been used to treat kidney diseases, indigestion, bronchitis, and as an expectorant or astringent. The plant has also been used in brewing ale as flavoring, clarification, and preservative before the introduction of hops. Enzymes in G. hederacea have been used in cheese-making as a substitute for animal rennet.

Flowering time:

April to July

Sowing time:

Plant height:

5–50 cm (2–19.5 in)

Flower color:

Blue or bluish-violet to lavender

Suitable habitat:

Glechoma hederacea thrives in moist shaded areas but also tolerates sun very well. It is common in grasslands and wooded areas or wasteland, as well as in lawns and around buildings. It survives mowing and can form dense mats that can take over areas of lawns and woodlands, making it an invasive species in suitable climates.

Info

Pannon Flora Ltd. was founded on December 13, 1999, by Gábor Janik, who retains 95% ownership. Janik holds an MSc in Horticulture from the University of Horticultural Sciences (1986) and an Advanced Professional English Certification from the College of International Trade (1990). The company specializes in bird feed production and export, primarily serving markets in Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK, alongside cultivating and distributing imported/exported horticultural seeds. It maintains exclusive partnerships with JOEUN Seed (South Korea) and Takii Europe (Japan), a leader in professional seed breeding and production. Pannon Flora collaborates with certification bodies such as NÉBIH (National Food Chain Safety Office), MERT Kontroll, and SGS Hungary to ensure compliance and quality. The company works with approximately 400 Hungarian growers, ranging from small-scale producers (under 5 hectares) to mid-sized farms and large-scale agricultural enterprises. This profile emphasizes agribusiness expertise, technical partnerships, and operational scalability tailored to international client needs.

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