Phyla nodiflora, Lippia nodiflora
Turkey Tangle FrogfruitFamily: Verbenaceae
Origin: Central and South America
Mat-like perennial ground cover. Sturdy enough to be used as a lawn substitute, can be walked on, and mowed if needed. Dormant in winter.
The fresh leaves are used as a tea substitute.
The plant is anodyne, antibacterial, deobstruent, diuretic, emmenagogue, parasiticide and refrigerant. It is used in the treatment of hookworm. The juice of the plant is cooling and is used to relieve fevers, coughs and colds. The aroma of the inhaled plant is breathed in to treat coughs and colds. The juice of the root is used in the treatment of gastric troubles.
Succeeds in any well-drained soil in a sunny position. Prefers a moderately fertile soil, but succeeds in soils of low fertility.
Propagation: Division or seeds in spring, cuttings in late summer.
Lippia queretarensis - syn.L. nodiflora var. normalis f. sericea
Similar plants:
- Phyla dulcis, Lippia dulcis, Phyla scaberrima, Lippia mexicana (Aztec Sweet Herb, Sweetleaf)
- Aloysia gratissima, Lippia lycioides, Aloysia lycioides (Whitebrush, Beebrush)
- Lippia citriodora, Aloysia citriodora, Verbena citriodora, Verbena triphylla (Lemon-scented verbena, lemon Luisa, Pitiona)
- Lippia turbinata, Lippia alba (Poleo, Juanilama, Pamporegano, Pitiona)
