Sawtooth Frog-Fruit, Spatulate-Leaved Frog-Fruit, Weighty Frog-Fruit, Wedge-Leaf
Phyla nodiflora (L.) Greene
Family :Verbenaceae
Longevity : Perennial
Origin :Native
Season :Warm
Frog Fruit grows in various soil types in the South Texas Plains and Edwards Plateau. It is a low growing plant only reaching a height of three to five inches. The trailing stems have a woody base, tend to form mats and can be as long as three feet. The leaves are about 1/2 to 1 3/4 inches long with toothed margins towards the end of the leaf. The white flowers have five petals and are found in spikes about 4 inches long. Frog Fruit blooms from May to October. The leaves are eaten by white-tailed deer, javelinas, feral pigs and cattle. Butterflies, such as the Phaon Crescent, the White Peacock, and the Common Buckeye, use this plant as caterpillar food.
Click image to enlarge.
