Flower Series #19 - Ground Ivy (Glechoma Hederacea)

Ground Ivy (Glechoma Hederacea)

Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea) is a perennial fragrant herb in the lip flower family.

It is low and tapered with creeping shoots that break root at the joints. The leaves are kidney shaped, coarse and have long stems. The flowers sit 2-5 together in wreaths in the leaf corners on the firing shoots that grow 10-30 cm tall. The flowers are usually light purple with purple spots on the lower lip, but may be blue or white. The polling buttons are white and are perpendicular to each other so they form a cross. Core button blooms from April to June. Pollination is carried out by bumblebees, bees, beetles and ants.

The plant is poisonous for horses and many rodents, but is harmless to humans. Many insects eat the plant, including cricket scratch beetle (Trachys scrobiculata), which is redlisted in Norway. Several parasitic mushrooms grow on the leaves; The most common is Crustaceans (Puccinia glechomatis).

It used to be a widely used for fever and wounds. In England, it was used as an additive in beer before hops became common. It is grown occasionally in gardens like ample plants or landscaping, and there is a cultivar, 'Variegata', with speckled leaves.

Original (4608x3456)

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Location: Jæren, Norway
Camera: Nikon P900
No filter have been used
No editing have been made to these photos
Photographer: @flatman

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