Phyla nodiflora
turkey tangle frogfruit
Overview
Phyla nodiflora is a low, creeping perennial in the verbena family, forming a dense mat 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5 cm) high that spreads by rooting runners up to several feet long. The small, spoon-shaped leaves are 0.5-1.5 inches (1.5-4 cm) long with a few teeth toward the rounded tip. From spring through fall it produces tiny flowers packed into rounded heads about 0.3-0.5 inch (8-12 mm) wide on slender stalks held just above the foliage. The flowers open in a ring around the head, white to pale pink with a yellow throat, and the head lengthens into a short cylinder as flowering proceeds. The plant tolerates heat, drought, foot traffic, and salt spray, and is grown as a low-water lawn substitute in mild climates. Its flowers draw bees and butterflies and serve as a larval host for several butterfly species. Phyla nodiflora roots wherever the stems touch moist ground and can spread into beds and lawns beyond where it is wanted. It browns in frost but recovers from the roots in zone 8 and warmer.
Native Range
Phyla nodiflora is native to the warmer parts of the Americas and is now naturalized across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. In the United States it ranges across the southern states from California to Florida.Suggested Uses
Grown as a drought-tolerant groundcover and lawn substitute, between pavers, on slopes, and along path edges in mild climates. It draws bees and butterflies and supports the larvae of phaon crescent and white peacock butterflies. Its spreading runners suit open ground where it can knit together quickly, rather than small mixed beds it can overrun.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1" - 3"
Width/Spread2' - 3'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white to pale pink with a yellow throatFoliage Description
green to gray-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 full sun to light shade on almost any well-drained soil, including sand and poor ground. Established plants are drought tolerant and need occasional water only in long dry spells. Too much water and shade thin the mat and reduce flowering. It withstands light to moderate foot traffic and recovers quickly from mowing. The runners root as they spread, so edges are trimmed to keep it out of lawns and borders. In zone 8 it dies back in winter and regrows from the roots in spring.Pruning
Mowing or shearing two or three times a season keeps the mat low and dense and removes spent flower heads. Runners that creep past the intended edge are cut or pulled to limit spread. No other pruning is needed.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing