Frogfruit, Lippia
Phyla nodiflora

Family: Verbenaceae

What it is like

A plant which forms a tight mat. It spreads by runners or stolons. It grows 3-15 cm high. These can be woody near the base. They produce many roots. It can spread 2-5 m wide. The leaves are small and opposite. The are oblong or sword shaped and narrow to a leaf stalk at the base. There can be some teeth near the end of the blade. The leaves can be smooth or covered with hairs. The flowers heads are round or oval and 1.25 cm across. They are on long flowering stalks. The flowers are pink and like clover flowers.

There are 15 Phyla species. It has medicinal properties.

Where it is found

It grows in temperate places but will grow in the subtropics and in semi-arid places. It needs well drained soil. It needs to grow in full sun. It can stand heavy frosts. It also grows in regularly flooded areas and near ditches and ponds. In Zimbabwe it grows up to 1,300 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 9-10. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Botswana, Brazil, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Central America (country/location of origin), Chile, China, Cuba (country/location of origin), Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Europe, Greece, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Iraq, Italy, Jamaica (country/location of origin), Laos, Malawi, Maldives, Mediterranean, Mexico (country/location of origin), Middle East, Mozambique, North America, Pacific, Paraguay, Philippines, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America (country/location of origin), Spain, Sri Lanka, St Helena, Sudan, Swaziland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, Timor-Leste, Turkey, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Uruguay, USA, West Africa, West Indies (country/location of origin), Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are eaten. They are also used to brew a herbal tea.

It is sold in local markets in China.

Edible parts

Leaves - tea, leaves

How it is grown

It can be grown by small cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Berbin al-jedie, Fan li zai, Hunigon difilaa, Matgrass, Turkey tangle

Synonyms

Lippia nodiflora (L.) Michaux; Verbena nodiflora L.;