The Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea ssp. grandis) belongs to Lamiaceae (the Mint family). The genus Glechoma is a perennial herb that is distributed widely through the Northern Hemisphere. This is only one speceis of Glechoma in Japan. The stems are errect at first, following flowering these come down on the grounds and throw out roots at nodes. Pale magenta labiate flowers come in April to May. Its Japanese name comes from the fact that it grows so long that it can pass under hedges. It is also known as "rensen-so" (because the leaves resemble coins) and "kantori-so" (because it was used to relieve children's chancre). It has also been used as a folk medicine in Europe for centuries. In Taiwanese Chinese, it is called "金錢薄荷".