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Useful Tropical Plants

Phyla nodiflora

(L.) Greene

Verbenaceae

+ Synonyms

Blairia nodiflora (L.) Gaertn.

Diototheca repens (Bertol.) Raf.

Lantana larranagae Moldenke

Lantana repens Larrañaga

Lantana repens Sessé & Moc.

Lantana sarmentosa Spreng. ex C.B.Clarke

Lippia aegyptiaca Carrière

Lippia caespitosa Rusby

Lippia canescens Kunth

Lippia cuneifolia incisa (Small) Blank.

Lippia filiformis Schrad.

Lippia fruticosa (Mill.) K.Kenn. ex R.W.Sanders

Lippia incisa (Small) Tidestr.

Lippia litoralis Phil.

Lippia nodiflora (L.) Michx.

Lippia queretarensis Kunth

Lippia repens (Bertol.) Spreng.

Lippia reptans Kunth

Lippia sarmentosa (Willd.) Spreng.

Lippia strigulosa M.Martens & Galeotti

Lippia subterranea Rusby

Lippia uncinuligera Nees ex Walp.

Phyla caespitosa (Rusby) Moldenke

Phyla canescens (Kunth) Greene

Phyla chinensis Lour.

Phyla filiformis (Schrad.) Meikle

Phyla fruticosa (Mill.) K.Kenn. ex Wunderlin & B.F.Hansen

Phyla incisa Small

Phyla reptans (Kunth) Greene

Phyla strigulosa (M.Martens & Galeotti) Moldenke

Phyla subterranea (Rusby) Moldenke

Phyla yucatana Moldenke

Piarimula chinensis (Lour.) Raf.

Platonia nodiflora (L.) Raf.

Verbena capitata Forssk.

Verbena cuneata Willd. ex Spreng.

Verbena elliptica Willd. ex Spreng.

Verbena fruticosa Mill.

Verbena globiflora Nocca ex Spreng.

Verbena lanata Willd. ex Walp.

Verbena nodiflora L.

Verbena repens Bertol.

Verbena repens Larrañaga

Verbena reptans (Kunth) Loisel. ex Spreng.

Verbena sarmentosa Willd.

Zappania canescens (Kunth) Gibert

Zappania nodiflora (L.) Lam.

Zappania repens (Bertol.) Bertol.

Zappania reptans (Kunth) Spreng.

Zappania suberosa Spreng.

Common Name: Frogfruit

Phyla nodiflora
Flowering plant
Photograph by: J.M.Garg
GNU Free Documentation License
Phyla nodiflora Phyla nodiflora Phyla nodiflora Phyla nodiflora

General Information

Phyla nodiflora is a low-growing, herbaceous, perennial plant that creeps along the ground, forming roots as it spreads, and often forming large mats or colonies[
331
Title
Flora of Guatemala
Publication
 
Author
Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
Website
http://www.archive.org/
Publisher
 
Year
1946 - 1976
ISBN
 
Description
A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
].
The plant is gathered from the wild for local domestic medicinal use. It is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental plant and ground cover in tropical to warm temperate regions of the world[
302
Title
Tropical Ornamentals; A Guide
Publication
 
Author
Whistler. W. Arthur.
Publisher
Timber Press Inc. Oregon.
Year
2000
ISBN
0-88192-448-2
Description
An excellent little guide to some of the more commonly cultivated ornamental plants of the Tropics, often giving some information on the plants other uses.
].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

154
Title
Flora of Victoria.
Publication
 
Author
Ewart. A. J.
Publisher
University Press; Melbourne
Year
1930
ISBN
 
Description
A flora of eastern Australia, it is rather short on information that is useful to the plant project.
,
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.

Range

Widely spread from the warmer regions of the temperate zone to the tropical zone all around the world

Habitat

Near the coast in Australia[
154
Title
Flora of Victoria.
Publication
 
Author
Ewart. A. J.
Publisher
University Press; Melbourne
Year
1930
ISBN
 
Description
A flora of eastern Australia, it is rather short on information that is useful to the plant project.
]. A common weed in the warmer areas of China, where it grows along stream banks and in grassy places; at elevations from 300 - 2,300 metres[
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
].

Properties

Weed PotentialYes
Edibility Rating *
Medicinal Rating *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitPerennial
Height0.20 m
PollinatorsInsects
Cultivation StatusOrnamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Phyla nodiflora succeeds in a wide range of habitats from the warmer regions of the temperate zone to the tropics.
Succeeds in any well-drained soil in a sunny position[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Prefers a moderately fertile soil, but succeeds in soils of low fertility[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Prefers ample moisture according to one report[
157
Title
Australian Native Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Wrigley. J. W. and Fagg. M.
Publisher
Collins. (Australia)
Year
1988
ISBN
0-7322-0021-0
Description
A lovely book, written in order to encourage Australian gardeners to grow their native plants. A little bit of information for the plant project.
], whilst another says that, once established, it is drought tolerant[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. When grown in shade the plant makes a lot of vegetative growth but does not flower well[
157
Title
Australian Native Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Wrigley. J. W. and Fagg. M.
Publisher
Collins. (Australia)
Year
1988
ISBN
0-7322-0021-0
Description
A lovely book, written in order to encourage Australian gardeners to grow their native plants. A little bit of information for the plant project.
].
The plant spreads rapidly by means of running stems and can carpet large areas, which can be a blessing or a pain depending on the circumstance![
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
The plant can flower and produce fruit all year round[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].

Edible Uses

Leaves[
144
Title
Wild Food in Australia.
Publication
 
Author
Cribb. A. B. and J. W.
Publisher
Fontana
Year
1976
ISBN
0-00-634436-4
Description
A very good pocket guide.
,
177
Title
Plants for Human Consumption.
Publication
 
Author
Kunkel. G.
Publisher
Koeltz Scientific Books
Year
1984
ISBN
3874292169
Description
An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of Latin names with a brief list of edible parts.
]. No more details are given.

The fresh leaves are used as a tea substitute[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
]. A grassy flavour, it is nothing special[
144
Title
Wild Food in Australia.
Publication
 
Author
Cribb. A. B. and J. W.
Publisher
Fontana
Year
1976
ISBN
0-00-634436-4
Description
A very good pocket guide.
].

Medicinal

The plant is anodyne, antibacterial, astringent, carminative, deobstruent, diuretic, emmenagogue, emollient, febrifuge, parasiticide and refrigerant[
218
Title
Medicinal Plants of China
Publication
 
Author
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S.
Publisher
Reference Publications, Inc.
Year
1985
ISBN
0-917256-20-4
Description
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.
]. It is said to be useful in the treatment of blenorrhoea, lithiasis, ischuria, constipation and pain in the knees[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
]. It is used in the treatment of hookworm[
218
Title
Medicinal Plants of China
Publication
 
Author
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S.
Publisher
Reference Publications, Inc.
Year
1985
ISBN
0-917256-20-4
Description
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.
]. An infusion is drunk as a post-partum tonic[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
]. The juice of the plant is cooling and is used to relieve minor gastric troubles, fevers, coughs and colds[
272
Title
Plants and People of Nepal
Publication
 
Author
Manandhar. N. P.
Publisher
Timber Press. Oregon.
Year
2002
ISBN
0-88192-527-6
Description
Excellent book, covering over 1,500 species of useful plants from Nepal together with information on the geography and peoples of Nepal. Good descriptions of the plants with terse notes on their uses.
,
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
]. The aroma of the inhaled plant is breathed in to treat coughs and colds[
272
Title
Plants and People of Nepal
Publication
 
Author
Manandhar. N. P.
Publisher
Timber Press. Oregon.
Year
2002
ISBN
0-88192-527-6
Description
Excellent book, covering over 1,500 species of useful plants from Nepal together with information on the geography and peoples of Nepal. Good descriptions of the plants with terse notes on their uses.
].
A poultice of the fresh plant is applied to ripen boils[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
]. A paste or poultice is also applied to swollen cervical glands, to erysipelas, burns, and to chronic indolent ulcers[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].

The juice of the root is used in the treatment of gastric troubles[
272
Title
Plants and People of Nepal
Publication
 
Author
Manandhar. N. P.
Publisher
Timber Press. Oregon.
Year
2002
ISBN
0-88192-527-6
Description
Excellent book, covering over 1,500 species of useful plants from Nepal together with information on the geography and peoples of Nepal. Good descriptions of the plants with terse notes on their uses.
].

Agroforestry Uses:

A good ground cover for dry sunny banks[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
], this plant has been used as a grass substitute for lawns in tropical areas. It withstands walking and trampling well, though it would probably not tolerate heavy traffic[
157
Title
Australian Native Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Wrigley. J. W. and Fagg. M.
Publisher
Collins. (Australia)
Year
1988
ISBN
0-7322-0021-0
Description
A lovely book, written in order to encourage Australian gardeners to grow their native plants. A little bit of information for the plant project.
,
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
]. It can be used to control water and wind erosion[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].
Locally, the plant is an important nectar source for honeybees[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a tray in a nursery. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out when stems are 10cm long.
Division at any time of the year.
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-12-06. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Phyla+nodiflora>

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