CREEPING CHARLIE
Ground Ivy
Species: Glechoma hederacea
Risk: None, Edible
Creeping Charlie is a ground vine that thrives in shady places. Many gardeners and landscapers have trouble keeping its growth in check as it grows fast and can overtake entire yards within a few months. The only problem with this vine comes when you try to get rid of it.
It grows well in most soil conditions and among varieties of other flora. The small, wrinkled spade-shaped petals can blanket an entire area and choke the growth of grass and other plants.
Early settlers in America imported and cultivated the plant. Its leaves are harvested for fresh greens, dried for making tea, and gathered for salads. It has been made use of for various medicinal purposes. However, today Creeping Charlie is mainly regarded as a nuisance.
NOTES
It is not advised to eat this plant, or any wild edible, raw. Wild edibles should always be sanitized and cooked in order to kill any harmful bacteria that can live on or in them. The benefits of a meal gathered from the wild may not outweigh the risks of illness due to food borne bacteria.
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