Any reference to medicinal or culinary use of plants or plant parts should in no way be considered an endorsement by The Ocala Food Forest or its staff. Research is crucial in safe and proper consumption or experimentational use of any plant.
Plant Information
| Scientific Name: | Phyla Nodiflora |
| Family Name: | Verbenaceae |
| Common Name(s): | Frog Fruit, Turkey Tangle, and Capeweed |
| Size: | Stays quite low to the ground, generally reaching only about 3 to 6 inches in height. The plant can spread widely through its creeping stems that root at nodes. In favorable conditions, it can cover a large area, spreading outwards to several feet across. This characteristic allows it to effectively fill in gaps and provide a dense mat of foliage, which is excellent for suppressing weeds and stabilizing the soil. |
| Plant Type: | Perennial Ground Cover |
| Origin/Geographic Distribution: | Phyla nodiflora, is a species with a broad geographic distribution. It is native to tropical and warm temperate regions across several continents, including the Americas, Asia, and Australia. |
| Native to: | The Southern United States, Latin America, South America, and parts of Asia and Australia. |
| Native range in the USA: | Southern United States, including states such as Florida, Texas, and California. |
| Conservation Status: | Does not currently have a designated conservation status under major international bodies. It is not listed as endangered or threatened. |
Cultivation
| Planting: | Plant frog fruit in the spring after the threat of frost has passed. This gives the plant a full growing season to establish. Space plants about 12 to 18 inches apart to allow for spreading. Frog fruit will fill in gaps quickly. |
| Sun Exposure: | Thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. |
| Soil Type: | It is not particular about soil type and can grow in poor, sandy, or clay soils. However, well-draining soil is ideal to prevent root rot. |
| Soil pH: | Frog fruit is quite adaptable and can thrive in a range of soil pH conditions. Generally, it grows best in soils with a pH ranging from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline, approximately between 5.5 and 7.5 |
| Water Requirements: | Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during the first few weeks after planting to help establish roots. Once established, frog fruit is highly drought-tolerant. Water occasionally during prolonged dry spells, especially in hotter climates. |
| Fertilizer Requirements: | Frog fruit generally does not require much fertilization. If growth seems sluggish, you can apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in the early spring. |
| Pruning Requirements: | Periodic trimming can help keep the growth dense and compact. It can also encourage more vigorous growth and flowering. While its spreading habit is often a desired trait, in some settings, it might be necessary to control its spread. Regular edging can keep it confined to a desired area. |
| Growth Rate: | Fast |
Tolerance and Hardiness
| Drought Tolerance: | Highly drought-tolerant once it is established. This characteristic makes it an excellent choice for gardens and landscapes in arid or water-restricted areas. |
| Frost Tolerance: | Can typically survive temperatures down to about 28°F to 32°F (-2°C to 0°C) for short periods. In these conditions, the plant may show signs of stress or damage to foliage, but it often recovers once temperatures rise again. |
| Heat Tolerance: | Can thrive in a wide range of temperatures, particularly excelling in warmer climates. It is well-suited to temperatures that commonly range from about 70°F to 95°F (21°C to 35°C) during the growing season. However, it can also withstand higher temperatures, often up to and exceeding 100°F (38°C), especially when it has access to some moisture and is well-established. |
| Wind Tolerance: | Tolerant of wind, especially in its natural or well-adapted environments. Its low-growing, mat-forming habit allows it to withstand moderate wind exposure without significant damage. |
| Salt Tolerance: | Frog fruit is salt-tolerant, which makes it an excellent choice for coastal areas where salt spray and saline soils can be problematic for many other plants. |
| USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: | 6 to 11 |
Flower and Fruit Information
| Fruit Type: | The fruits of frog fruit are small, non-fleshy nutlets that form after the flowering period. These nutlets are typically very small, inconspicuous, and primarily serve the purpose of reproduction. |
| Edible Plant: | No |
| Medicinal: | Skin Treatments, Gastrointestinal Relief, Diuretic Properties, & Anti-inflammatory Uses. |
| Flower Color: | Produces small flowers that are predominantly white, but they can also have a hint of pink, especially towards the center or along the edges of the petals. |
| Flower Shape: | The flowers are small and tubular in shape. Each flower consists of a narrow tube that flares open at the end into a five-lobed corolla, giving it a somewhat star-shaped appearance. The tiny flowers are intricately structured, with the lobes often slightly spreading outward. |
| Fragrance: | Frog fruit flowers are not typically noted for their fragrance. They are generally considered to have little to no scent detectable by humans. |
| Flower Bloom Time: | In warmer climates, such as those found in its native range, frog fruit may bloom year-round if conditions remain favorable. |
| Pollination: Self or Other? |
Frog fruit is capable of self-pollination, but it primarily benefits from cross-pollination facilitated by insects. |
Wildlife
| Pollinators: | Bees, Butterflies, & Moths. Various other small insects, such as hoverflies and beetles, might also visit the flowers, although they may not be as effective at pollination as butterflies and bees. |
| Problematic Pest: | Aphids, Whiteflies, Spider Mites, Scale Insects |
| Attracts: | Bees, Butterflies, Moths, Small Birds, Ladybugs, & Lacewings. |
Health and Safety
| Toxic: | No |
| Poisonous Parts of Plant: | None, not used for consumption. |
| Toxic to Humans: | No |
| Toxic to Animals: | No |
| Plant Diseases to be aware of: | Frog fruit is generally robust and disease-resistant, but like any plant, it can occasionally be susceptible to certain diseases, especially in suboptimal growing conditions. Here are some plant diseases to be aware of: Root Rot, Powdery Mildew, Leaf Spot Diseases, & Rust. |
Frog Fruit (Phyla Nodiflora)
Phyla Nodiflora also known as Frog Fruit is a species of flowering plant in the Verbenaceae family that is commonly found throughout much of the United States and Mexico, it is a Florida Native plant. It is an attractive perennial herb that can be used for ornamental purposes and has several medicinal uses. Let's take a look at what makes this plant so special.
Frog Fruit grows as an upright stem with long, lance-shaped leaves that range in color from green to blue-green. The plant has small, white flowers that are clustered together in its upper branches. The flowers have five petals and are arranged in a star shape. This species of plant also produces small round fruits which contain its seeds.
Companion Planting
Companion planting with frog fruit (Phyla nodiflora) can be an excellent strategy in your garden, especially if you are aiming to create a diverse, attractive, and ecologically beneficial landscape. Frog fruit is a versatile ground cover that can coexist well with various other plants, particularly those that have similar growing conditions. Here are some good companions to consider:
Native Grasses and Sedges: Planting native grasses or sedges alongside frog fruit can create a naturalistic texture contrast. Grasses like buffalo grass (Bouteloua dactyloides) or sedges like Carex spp. are good choices because they share similar requirements for sun and water.
Butterfly Attracting Plants: Since frog fruit is a favorite among pollinators, pairing it with other butterfly-attracting plants can create a vibrant pollinator garden. Consider species like milkweed (Asclepias spp.), coneflowers (Echinacea spp.), and black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta).
Drought-Tolerant Herbs: Herbs that thrive in similar conditions as frog fruit, such as rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), and oregano (Origanum vulgare), can be great companions. These herbs require minimal water once established, just like frog fruit.
Other Ground Covers: Combining frog fruit with other ground covers that have similar sun and soil requirements but different textures or flower colors can enhance visual interest. For instance, stonecrop (Sedum spp.) or creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) could be good choices.
Low Shrubs: Incorporating low shrubs can provide vertical interest and additional habitat for wildlife. Suitable shrubs might include low-growing varieties of salvia or spirea, which offer different bloom colors and times, helping to extend the visual appeal and ecological function of the garden throughout the growing season.
When planning your companion planting with frog fruit, consider the mature size of each plant, their water and light needs, and how their root systems might interact. This thoughtful planning will ensure that all plants coexist harmoniously and your garden thrives both aesthetically and ecologically.