Ground ivy or ground ivy is a small herb that is very inconspicuous outside of the flowering period. Confusion with other plants happens more often. However, since ground ivy is not poisonous and is even used as a medicinal herb, a mix-up is not so tragic. How to distinguish similar plants from ground ivy.

Günsel (pictured here) looks confusingly similar to the Gundermann

ground ivy and similar plants

There are a number of plants that at first glance look very similar to ground ivy. A closer look at the leaves, flowers and growth habit often helps. The flowering time can also be a clue.

Plants similar to ground ivy are:

  • ivy
  • bugle
  • Little Brownie
  • Red deadnettle

Gundermann, the creeping ivy

Ground ivy is also called creeping ivy because the leaves look very similar to those of the climbing plant. However, they are much smaller. Gundermann climbs up a plant in very shady locations. In contrast, ivy climbs many meters up walls and trees.

Ivy has a very inconspicuous, yellowish-white bloom. Gundermann attracts attention with its blue-purple labial flowers, which appear from March to June.

This is how you distinguish Gundermann from Günsel and Kleiner Braunelle

Crawling bugle is most commonly confused with ground ivy. However, it is much smaller and also has more delicate flowers. Furthermore, the main flowering period of ground ivy falls in the months of March and April and then weakens. Günsel flowers from April to May.

The Lesser Accentor does not flower until June and continues to produce new flowers until October. The inflorescences differ in that they stand erect and form small spikes.

Plants without flowers can often only be distinguished, even by experienced gardeners, if they are placed directly next to each other.

Differences to the red dead-nettle

The flowers of the red deadnettle are similar in shape and color to those of the ground ivy. They are smaller at the top but wider at the bottom. The most noticeable difference between red deadnettle and ground ivy is the upright habit of nettle, while ground ivy is a creeping plant.

tips

Ground ivy can become a real nuisance in the garden as it spreads almost unhindered. Fighting them is very complex and requires a lot of manual work and a lot of patience.

Category:

Vegetable garden