Lanceleaf Fogfruit, Lanceleaf Frogfruit

Phyla lanceolata

FY-luh  lan-see-oh-LAY-tuh

Synonyms of Phyla lanceolata (9) (Updated on 12-31-23 from Plants of the World Online): Lippia lanceolata Michx., Lippia lanceolata var. recognita Fernald & Griscom, Lippia nodiflora var. acutifolia Kuntze, Lippia nodiflora var. lanceolata (Michx.) Alph.Wood, Phyla lanceolata f. ahlesii Moldenke, Phyla lanceolata var. recognita (Fernald & Griscom) Soper, Phyla nodiflora var. texensis Moldenke, Verbena scabra Muhl. ex Spreng., Zappania lanceolata (Michx.) Juss.

Phyla lanceolata (Michx.) Greene is the correct and accepted scientific name for the Lanceleaf Fogfruit. It was named and described as such by Edward Lee Greene in Pittonia in 1899. It was first named Lippia lanceolata by André Michaux and described in Flora Boreali-Americana in 1803. 

The genus, Phyla Lour., was named and described by João de Loureiro in Flora Cochinchinensis in 1790. 

As of 12-31-23 when this page was last updated, Plants of the World Online lists 5 species in the Phyla genus. It is a member of the plant family Verbenaceae with a total of 31 genera. Those numbers may change periodically as updates are made on POWO.

The above distribution map for Phyla lanceolata is from Plants of the World Online. Areas in green are where the species is native. The map on the USDA Plants Database for the United States and Canada is the same

The map on iNaturalist shows where members have made observations. Anyone can join and it is a great website to confirm and share your observations. The maps on iNaturalist are continually updated as members post new observations.

THERE ARE SEVERAL LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FURTHER READING AND TO HELP WITH A BETTER POSITIVE ID.

I first found this delightful wildflower growing among the grass (and other plants) along the edge of the southeast pasture after the hay had been cut on July 29 (2019). I hadn’t noticed it before as with many wildflowers here because maybe the cows had been eating it. I took several photos and later found several colonies of this species in other areas along the back fence.

Phyla lanceolata is a perennial plant that typically grows from 6” to 2’ tall. Plants may grow erect or sprawl along the ground and root at the nodes. This seems to be a variable species judging from reading information on several websites and looking at a lot of photos. 

Its leaves grow in an opposite fashion and may vary in shape from lanceolate, ovate-lanceolate, narrowly elliptic, rhombic, or ovate. The leaves are serrated, taper toward both ends, sessile, or may have short petioles, usually tapering to a point (although I have seen photos of more rounded leaves (see Plants of Louisiana below). Leaves and stems can be hairless or slightly hairy (pubescent).

Flowering stems terminate with a hard-to-explain, um, cone-like structure or head. These heads can be roundish or oblong. Plants here have oblong heads while I have seen photos of them being round. The heads produce numerous flowers and I am not going to even try to describe them. There are several links below that give elaborate botanical descriptions. All I will say is that this is an interesting plant… 

I need to find this species again to take more photos.

I have enjoyed photographing and learning about the many wildflowers growing on the family farm and in other areas. The farm is in Windsor, Missouri in Pettis County (Henry County is across the street and Benton and Johnson aren’t far away). I have grown over 500 different plants and identified over 250 species of wildflowers (most have pages listed on the right side of the blog). I am not an expert, botanist, or horticulturalist. I just like growing, photographing, and writing about my experience. I rely on several websites for ID and a horticulturalist I contact if I cannot figure them out. Wildflowers can be somewhat variable from location to location, so sometimes it gets a bit confusing. If you see I have made an error, please let me know so I can correct what I have written.

I hope you found this page useful and be sure to check the links below for more information. They were written by experts and provide much more information. Some sites may not be up-to-date but they are always a work in progress. If you can, I would appreciate it if you would click on the “Like” below and leave a comment. It helps us bloggers stay motivated. You can also send an email to me at thebelmontrooster@yahoo.com. I would enjoy hearing from you especially if you notice something is a bit whacky.

FOR FURTHER READING:
PLANTS OF THE WORLD ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
INTERNATIONAL PLANT NAMES INDEX (GENUS/SPECIES)
TROPICOS (GENUS/SPECIES)
WORLD FLORA ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
WIKIPEDIA (GENUS/SPECIES)
MISSOURI PLANTS
iNATURALIST
WILDFLOWER SEARCH
DAVE’S GARDEN
USDA PLANTS DATABASE
ILLINOIS WILDFLOWERS
MINNESOTA WILDFLOWERS
KANSAS WILDFLOWERS AND GRASSES
KANSAS NATIVE PLANTS
PLANTS OF LOUSIANA
GO BOTANY
LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER

NOTE: The data (figures, maps, accepted names, etc.) may not match on these websites. It depends on when and how they make updates and when their sources make updates. Some websites have hundreds and even many thousands of species to keep up with. Accepted scientific names change periodically and it can be hard to keep with as well. Some of the links may use a name that is a synonym on other sites. In my opinion, Plants of the World Online by Kew is one of the most reliable and up-to-date plant databases and they make updates regularly. I make updates “at least” once a year and when I write new pages or add new photos but I do get behind. We are all a work in progress. 🙂