im not winning the war.. ground ivy
Name: Ground-ivy
( ale hoof, creeping Charlie )
Latin name: Glechoma hederacea L. (Nepeta glechoma, N. hederacea)
Occurrence: Ground-ivy is a perennial common in hedge banks and found at times as a weed in arable crops Mine has moved in permanently and on the margins of arable fields. Ground-ivy is typically a plant of shaded areas and is native in woods, grassland and waste places usually in damper, heavier soils. It is found throughout the UK and is most abundant on sites with bare ground particularly on heavy and calcareous soils. Ground-ivy thrives on soils rich in phosphate and nitrogen. Yep.. i found that out soon enough and so did my Peas last year..
There is some evidence that ground-ivy can have an allelopathic effect on the plants around it. Before the introduction of hops the plant was used extensively in brewing. It also has medicinal and therapeutic uses. There is a report that it has caused poisoning in horses in England.The plant is toxic if ingested in large amounts either fresh or in hay but only horses are affected. Grazing animals generally avoid it because of the bitter taste.
Biology: The flowers appear in the leaf axils between March and July. The flowers are insect pollinated. The main period for seed set is June. An average plant may have 100 seeds. Mine must be above average then! Seed production is often poor Not on my lottie their not and establishment from seed is rare in most habitats. Seed germination is increased by a period of dry storage
Regeneration is primarily vegetative. Ground-ivy has creeping stems or stolons. New shoots and roots form at each node along the stolons. The shoots persist for one season. Ground-ivy overwinters as 2-leaved shoots or as 8 to 10-leaved rosettes. The foliage is generally, defiantly, i mean definitely frost hardy but dry conditions can cause wilting and some plant losses. Growth restarts from April onwards. Into battle i go then
Whats a girl to do ?
Persistence and Spread: Most seeds remain viable in soil for only a short period but a small number may persist for long periods. Mine have out stayed their welcome!
The seeds are passively dispersed. On contact with water the seed coat becomes mucilaginous and seeds will stick to most surfaces.
Vegetative spread is rapid. Tell me something i don’t know Ground-ivy forms patches by rapid stolon extension and in this way are able to infiltrate other vegetation. Runners can be over 70 cm long. The creeping stems root at every node. Detached shoot fragments may be important for long distance dispersal.
Management: Ground-ivy is not usually a problem on arable land . Oh yes it is Thorough cultivation should eradicate it.
Tell that to the ground ivy
April 8th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
LOL — some things that take up residence simply don’t want to leave.
Perhaps it’s one of those “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” things — if they’d just stay in once place, perhaps. But I can imagine you’d much rather beat them at the moment. Figuratively and otherwise!
April 11th, 2008 at 9:08 am
I didn’t realize Creeping Charlie was used as a groundcover. Every year, I buy a hanging basket with Creeping Charlie and Tradescantia. By the end of spring, both have grown and are hanging down about three feet. Apparently the Tradescantia can take whatever substance the Creeping Charlie puts out!
Aiyana