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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Phyla nodiflora is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. It is in flower from May to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Lippia nodiflora. Verbena nodiflora. Zapania nodiflora.

Habitats

Ground Cover; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses: Tea

Leaves[144, 177]. No more details are given. The fresh leaves are used as a tea substitute. A grassy flavour, it is nothing special[144].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anodyne Antibacterial Deobstruent Diuretic Emmenagogue Parasiticide Refrigerant

The plant is anodyne, antibacterial, deobstruent, diuretic, emmenagogue, parasiticide and refrigerant[218]. It is used in the treatment of hookworm[218]. The juice of the plant is cooling and is used to relieve fevers, coughs and colds[272]. The aroma of the inhaled plant is breathed in to treat coughs and colds[272]. The juice of the root is used in the treatment of gastric troubles[272].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Parasiticide

A good ground cover for dry sunny banks[200], this plant has been used as a grass substitute for lawns in tropical areas, though it would probably not tolerate heavy traffic[157, 200]. Perennial groundcover for zone 2 firebreaks. The US government has created a system of firebreaks for areas prone to wildfires, theses are separated into concentric zones surrounding buildings. Zone 2 is the second away from the house. These low-level groundcovers provide little fuel.

Special Uses

Ground cover

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in any well-drained soil in a sunny position[200]. Prefers a moderately fertile soil, but succeeds in soils of low fertility[200]. Prefers ample moisture according to one report[157], whilst another says that, once established, it is drought tolerant[200]. When grown in shade the plant makes a lot of vegetative growth but does not flower well[157]. This species is not very hardy in Britain, though it can be grown outdoors as a half-hardy annual in this country[1]. Plants tolerate temperatures down to at least -7°c in Australian gardens[157] though this cannot be translated directly to British gardens due to our cooler summers and longer colder and wetter winters. Heat Zone: 12-10.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse in the middle of spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in late spring or early summer. If trying to grow this plant as a perennial do not plant them out the first spring but grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Orobanche ammophyla	Lie Dang	Biennial	0.4	-		LMH	FSN	M	2	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Expert comment

Author

(L.)Greene.

Botanical References

154200266

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Phyla nodiflora - (L.)Greene.