Selfheal
Study firstSelfheal has dense flower spikes and pointed leaves.
Extra care needed
Ground ivy.
Glechoma hederacea
Also found as Creeping Charlie · Alehoof
A creeping mint-family plant with scalloped round leaves, square stems and small violet flowers.
Sources checked 27 September 2026 · Specialist field review pending
Before any gathering or use
Toxic to horses in quantity. Use in modest amounts; avoid in pregnancy.
Where it grows
Tracked records and known growing zone
- Verified records
- 151,897
- People who recorded it
- 61,008
- Most records (northern hemisphere)
- Apr–May
- Records span
- 1964–2026
| January | 1109 |
|---|---|
| February | 1291 |
| March | 9240 |
| April | 57884 |
| May | 44530 |
| June | 12375 |
| July | 6123 |
| August | 5684 |
| September | 5357 |
| October | 4334 |
| November | 2446 |
| December | 1417 |
Research-grade iNaturalist records, snapshot Aug 27, 2026. The growing zone combines areas where different people have repeatedly verified it. Records show where people looked and found it, not current abundance or permission to gather.
01 / Learn to see
Field marks
- 01
Creeping square stems rooting at nodes.
- 02
Opposite, round to kidney-shaped leaves with scalloped edges.
- 03
Small violet, two-lipped flowers in the leaf axils; pungent smell.
These are study prompts, not a complete identification key. Confirm the full plant with a regional flora and an experienced local identifier.
02 / Resolve the differences
Look closely. Compare.
Henbit
Lamium amplexicaule has clasping upper leaves.
Use the botanical sourceSelected comparisons only. Other lookalikes may occur locally.
03 / Meet the place
Habitat & season
Range context
Native to Europe and western Asia; naturalized widely in North America.
Watch the plant stage
Leaves year-round; flowers in spring.
Stage guidance is not a local forecast. Check your climate, elevation and a regional source; no month-shift formula is used here.
04 / Gather with care
Documented use & care
Parts discussed: Leaf · Flower
Use leaves sparingly as a bitter herb or in tea. Historically used to clarify ale.
Care for the patch
Plentiful in lawns; harvest freely where not sprayed.
Preparation & storage essentials05 / Follow the evidence
Sources & review
- Wikipedia · Glechoma hederaceaBotanical description, range and documented use
- iNaturalist · Glechoma hederaceaTaxonomy and verified observation records
Checked 27 September 2026. Original editorial synthesis; source institutions have not reviewed or endorsed this guide. Independent botanical field review is pending. Photos illustrate specimens; they do not certify the identity of a plant you find.
Suggest a correction