Philydrum lanuginosum
woolly frog's-mouth
Eastern and northern Australia, South-East Asia
Overview
Philydrum lanuginosum is an erect perennial herb in the family Philydraceae, growing 2-5 feet (0.6-1.5 m) tall from a short rhizome in shallow water and wet ground. The leaves are flattened and sword-shaped, arranged in a fan at the base in the manner of an iris, 8-24 inches (20-60 cm) long and grey-green, with bases that overlap and clasp the stem. A single upright flowering stem rises above the foliage, densely covered in white woolly hairs, and carries yellow flowers along its upper length. Each flower has two larger and two smaller petal-like segments about 0.6-1 inch (1.5-2.5 cm) across, opening a few at a time from spring through summer. The flowers are followed by capsules holding many small seeds. Growth is rapid in warm, wet conditions, with clumps enlarging by short rhizomes. The species needs permanently moist or wet soil and declines if the root zone dries out. Foliage dies back in cold or dry periods and reshoots when water returns.
Native Range
Native to eastern and northern Australia and parts of South-East Asia. Grows in swamps, the margins of ponds and slow streams, drainage lines, and seasonally flooded ground, in full sun on peaty, sandy, or clay soils.Suggested Uses
Planted in pond margins, bog gardens, rain gardens, and constructed wetlands at 12-18 inch (30-45 cm) spacing. Used in water treatment and habitat plantings for its tolerance of permanently wet ground. Grows in containers standing in water or in pots kept constantly wet.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 5'
Width/Spread1' - 3'
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Colors
Bloom Information
Flowers from spring through summer (September to March in its native range), with yellow flowers opening progressively up the woolly stem. Flowering is heaviest where the root zone stays wet and in full sun. The display extends over several weeks as successive flowers open.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Grey-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow in permanently moist to wet soil or shallow water up to 4 inches (10 cm) deep, as the species fails if the root zone dries. Plants need full sun for dense growth and flowering and tolerate a range of soils, including peat, sand, and clay. Clumps spread by short rhizomes and can be divided in spring to control size. No serious pests or diseases affect the species in suitable wet conditions. Foliage dies back in cold or dry spells and regrows when water and warmth return.Pruning
Cut back dead or tatty foliage in late winter before new growth to keep the clump tidy. Spent flowering stems can be removed once seed has set. No other pruning is required.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons