Frogfruit, Turkey tangle fogfruit
Phyla nodiflora

Family: Verbenaceae

What it is like

Phyla nodiflora is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. It is in flower from May to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 0.2

Where it is found

Near the coast in Australia. A ommon weed in the warmer areas of China, where it grows along stream banks and in grassy places at elevations of 300 - 2300 metres.

E. Asia - China to Australia - New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria. S. America.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Leaves. No more details are given. The fresh leaves are used as a tea substitute. A grassy flavour, it is nothing special.

Tea: the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.

Medicine

Rating: 2

The plant is anodyne, antibacterial, deobstruent, diuretic, emmenagogue, parasiticide and refrigerant. It is used in the treatment of hookworm. The juice of the plant is cooling and is used to relieve fevers, coughs and colds. The aroma of the inhaled plant is breathed in to treat coughs and colds. The juice of the root is used in the treatment of gastric troubles.

Anodyne: Relieves pain, it is milder than an analgesic.

Antibacterial: Kills bacteria.

Deobstruent: Clears obstructions from the natural ducts of the body.

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Emmenagogue: Promotes or increases the menstrual flow. In early stages of pregnancy it can induce an abortion.

Parasiticide: Treats external parasites such as ringworm This should perhaps be joined with Parasiticide in

Refrigerant: Cools the body.

Other

Rating: 3

A good ground cover for dry sunny banks, this plant has been used as a grass substitute for lawns in tropical areas, though it would probably not tolerate heavy traffic. Perennial groundcover for zone 2 firebreaks. The US government has created a system of firebreaks for areas prone to wildfires, theses are separated into concentric zones surrounding buildings. Zone 2 is the second away from the house. These low-level groundcovers provide little fuel.

Parasiticide: Kills external body parasites such as hair lice.

Ground cover: Ground Cover

How it is grown

Succeeds in any well-drained soil in a sunny position. Prefers a moderately fertile soil, but succeeds in soils of low fertility. Prefers ample moisture according to one report, whilst another says that, once established, it is drought tolerant. When grown in shade the plant makes a lot of vegetative growth but does not flower well. This species is not very hardy in Britain, though it can be grown outdoors as a half-hardy annual in this country. Plants tolerate temperatures down to at least -7°c in Australian gardens though this cannot be translated directly to British gardens due to our cooler summers and longer colder and wetter winters. Heat Zone: 12-10.

Propagating it: Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse in the middle of spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in late spring or early summer. If trying to grow this plant as a perennial do not plant them out the first spring but grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring.

Best place to grow: Ground Cover; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 8-12

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Lippia nodiflora. Verbena nodiflora. Zapania nodiflora.