Phyla nodiflora, commonly known as frogfruit or Turkey Tangle Frogfruit, is a low-growing, perennial ground cover plant that belongs to the Verbenaceae family. It is native to the Americas, including the southeastern United States, Central America, and parts of the Caribbean.
Key Features:
Leaves: The leaves are small, ovate to lance-shaped, and usually have a soft, hairy texture.
Flowers: Frogfruit produces small, white to pale purple flowers that grow in clusters, often giving the appearance of a "frothy" or "bubbly" top when in bloom, hence the name "frogfruit."
Growth Habit: It spreads as a dense mat, making it an effective ground cover. It can grow in a variety of soils and is often used in landscaping as a low-maintenance groundcover.
Height: Typically grows to about 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) tall.
Ecological Importance:
Pollinators: The flowers are attractive to a wide range of pollinators, particularly bees and butterflies. The plant is also known to support various species of butterflies, including the Common Buckeye.
Wildlife: It serves as a food source for some wildlife and offers habitat for insects and small animals.
Growing Conditions:
Sunlight: Frogfruit thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Water: It is drought-tolerant once established but benefits from regular watering in drier conditions.
Soil: It adapts to a wide variety of soil types, including poor and sandy soils, and is fairly low-maintenance.
Uses:
Ground Cover: It is commonly used as a ground cover in landscaping because of its ability to spread and crowd out weeds.
Erosion Control: Its dense mat of growth can help with erosion control, particularly on slopes.
Pollinator Gardens: Because of its appeal to pollinators, it is often included in native or pollinator-friendly gardens.
Frogfruit can be a great choice for those looking to attract wildlife or seeking a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant ground cover. It also has a role in supporting native ecosystems by providing food and shelter to various insects and small animals.