GROUND IVY or GILL-OVER-THE-GROUND


Photographed on lined notebook paper, to give you some idea of the scale.

This trailing vine-like weed is almost as ubiquitous as dandelion, and at least as hard to get rid of if you're unlucky enough to find this in your lawn. It's among the first plants to flower in the spring, and will continue to grow well into the fall. A field or meadow taken over by this plant can display some patches of brilliant purple.

Gather the leaves fresh, and use them as a tea. Some sources will tell you to dry the leaves. Don't do that. Drying the leaves robs it of the essential oils, and that's where the good stuff is. (Since it can't be dried and sold as an herb, you won't find it in any herbal books.)

It's rich in Vitamin C and other nutrients, and a pretty effective diuretic. It's been used for a variety of ailments of the digestive tract, and as a cough remedy.

Onward and upward,
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