Species library · Plants & herbs

Ground Ivy: poisonous

Glechoma hederacea

☠ Poisonous. Do not eat.What to do if poisoning is suspected

Ground Ivy is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. This page helps you identify it and tell it apart from similar species. It is not a foraging guide. When in doubt, have a find identified by an expert.

If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away. If someone has trouble breathing, has a seizure or is unconscious, call emergency services. Don't wait for symptoms: with some poisonings they only start hours later. Keep any leftovers of the find, they help identify it.

Usually seen from March to August in the northern hemisphere. Found in Grassland, Disturbed ground, Woodland edges. Can be confused with similar species.

☠ Poisonous
Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea)

Photo: (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · iNaturalist

When Ground Ivy appears

Typical window in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset.

Where it grows

Ground Ivy is usually found in Grassland, Disturbed ground, Woodland edges.

⚠ Look-alikes

buglebugle
purple deadnettle
henbit deadnettlehenbit deadnettle

Look up Ground Ivy in the app

In the Forage app, Ground Ivy has a full field guide entry with more photos, key features and the species it can be confused with.

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Ground Ivy: common questions

Is Ground Ivy poisonous?

Yes. Ground Ivy is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. Do not eat it. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away, or emergency services if it is life-threatening.

When does Ground Ivy appear?

Ground Ivy usually appears from March to August in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather.

Where does Ground Ivy grow?

Ground Ivy is usually found in Grassland, Disturbed ground, Woodland edges.

What can Ground Ivy be confused with?

Similar species: bugle, purple deadnettle, henbit deadnettle. Only a confident identification tells them apart. When in doubt, have a find checked by an expert.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits