Also known as Creeping Charlie, Gill-over-the-ground, Alehoof, Catsfoot
Ground-ivy spreads across damp soils via long, trailing square stems that root at the nodes to form dense evergreen carpets. Its rounded, kidney-shaped leaves feature scalloped margins and emit a pungent, minty aroma when crushed. In spring, small two-lipped funnel flowers in shades of blue-violet cluster in the leaf axils, attracting early-emerging bumblebees.
Toxic to horses and pets if ingested in large quantities; safe to observe.
Why it is dangerous
Contains volatile terpenes and pulegone that cause respiratory distress and sweating in horses and mild gastrointestinal toxicity in small pets if consumed in volume.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognized by creepers with square stems, kidney-shaped scalloped leaves, and a strong minty-herbal aroma when crushed.
What to do
Keep grazing livestock and pets away from overgrown patches, and wash hands after pulling plants to prevent mild skin discomfort.
Responsible observation
Identification: Look for square stems, pairs of rounded scalloped leaves, and small blue-violet flowers.
Lawn Care: Hand-pull early in spring to lift trailing stolons before they root deeply into the turf.
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