Frogfruit

A resilient evergreen native Texas groundcover, herbaceous that provides year-round foliage and structure to the landscape. Native across the Central Great Plains, Chihuahuan Deserts, Cross Timbers, East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, High Plains, Southern Texas Plains, Southwestern Tablelands, Texas Blackland Prairies, and Western Gulf Coastal Plain, Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora) thrives in local conditions while supporting the surrounding ecosystem. Distinguished by dark foliage that is green, with reddish or purplish tinge in cold winters, it offers an exceptional visual and tactile texture. During spring, summer, and fall, the plant produces white flower clusters. Flowering is followed by separates into 2 nutlets that add vibrant visual contrast and seasonal interest. It plays a vital ecological role as a larval host plant for Central Texas butterflies, including Phaon Crescent and White Peacock. Attracts numerous insect pollinators. Thriving in caliche, clay, dry, limestone, loam, moist, poor drainage, saline, and sand, Frogfruit demonstrates outstanding hardiness once established. It requires minimal supplemental water and adapts seamlessly to drought conditions. It features moderate deer resistance.