Definition

Noun: 1. A trailing perennial plant: "Runaway robin" refers to a specific European aromatic plant (Glechoma hederacea) of the mint family (Lamiaceae). It is characterized by its creeping or trailing growth habit, rounded leaves with scalloped edges, and small purplish flowers. It is commonly used as a decorative plant in hanging baskets. It has become naturalized in North America.

Usage Notes

• This is a common name for the plant . It is not a scientific term.
• The name "runaway robin" highlights the plant's trailing, spreading growth habit ("runaway") and possibly the color or shape of its flowers ("robin").
• It is primarily used in gardening, horticulture, and botanical contexts.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The runaway robin is thriving in the shaded hanging basket.
  • Be careful where you plant runaway robin; it can spread quickly and become invasive.
  • I love the delicate purple flowers of the runaway robin.

Advanced Usage

• The plant is also widely known by other common names, such as ground-ivy, gill-over-the-ground, and creeping charlie. The use of "runaway robin" may be more regional.
• In some older botanical classifications, it was placed in the genus .

Variants and Related Words

• Ground-ivy (n): The most frequently used common name for the same plant ().
• Creeping charlie (n): Another very common name for this plant, especially in North America.
• Gill-over-the-ground (n): A traditional folk name for the plant.
• Glechoma hederacea (n): The scientific Latin name for the species.

Synonyms

• Ground-ivy
• Creeping charlie
• Gill-over-the-ground
• Alehoof (an archaic name)

Notes on Related Terms

• Nepeta: A genus of flowering plants in the mint family that includes catnip (). While "runaway robin" was sometimes historically classified under , modern taxonomy places it firmly in the genus .

Noun

1. trailing European aromatic plant of the mint family having rounded leaves and small purplish flowers often grown in hanging baskets; naturalized in North America; sometimes placed in genus Nepeta