Beyond the Weeds: Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora)

 

(Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, author J.M. Garg)

When most of us think of "lawns", we think of grass. It's the single largest crop in the U.S., consuming the most water and fertilizer of anything we grow. It doesn't have to be that way. Native groundcovers offer a low-maintenance, low-water, low-nutrient alternative. One of my favorite groundcovers is Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora). You might be more familiar with it as Turkey Tangle, Matchhead, Carpetweed, or Creeping Charlie. 

A member of the verbena family, Frogfruit is a lovely groundcover that doesn't get very tall (6 inches according to the FNPS, 3 inches according to the Florida Wildlife Foundation, but I think FNPS is measuring flower height and FWF is measuring the height of the leaves). It also blooms all year long, attracting pollinators to your entire yard (whereas grass attracts nothing). It's a host plant for several butterfly species, including the Common Buckeye, Phaon Crescent, and White Peacock, and a preferred nectar source for at least 10 other species.

A long-lived perennial, Frogfruit also spreads very well. It sends out runners that put down roots and then send out more runners. You can propagate it from cuttings or from division, and it's not very picky about where it grows, so poor soil, low moisture, and low nutrients aren't problems. You can mow it and even walk on it without too much worry. 

You can find it at native plant nurseries. If you want more info, check out the entries from the Florida Native Plant Society and the Florida Wildflower Foundation.