non-native, semi-invasive
picture taken in early may
considered invasive in many locations, including neighboring new hampshire, but not Formally in massachusetts. ground ivy is an aggressive spreader and seems to be considered mostly a turfgrass/lawn weed. it's not actually a kind of ivy - it's just called that because of its behavior.
ground ivy is in the mint family, and it does actually have a fairly noticeable mint-esque smell. it is considered edible, although having just run out and smelled + eaten a leaf i can say it's not especially tasty. (it mostly tastes like leaf, with a slight mintlike coolness, which is interesting but not really pleasant to me.) some sites say the smell is Bad - i wonder if that depends on the smeller or the plant's particular circumstances?
ground ivy prefers shade and damp ground, but will grow most anywhere.