Phyla nodiflora: USDA calls it turkey tangle fogfruit

Phyla nodiflora, synonym Lippia nodiflora, is native to South America and the southern U.S. It’s known as frog fruit, mat grass, matchweed and other names. The name mat grass refers to the fact that it grows in mats in the lawn at a height of 3 to 5 inches. The inflorescence has a dark purple center surrounded by small white to pink flowers. It resembles a match which explains the name matchweed. One of the most interesting common names is the one used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, turkey tangle fogfruit at plants.usda.gov. Notice it is not “frog” but “fog”. Fog often settles near the ground in the morning. After farmers mowed their fields, frog fruit was one of the first plants seen over the fog. The plant became known as fogfruit. Over time, in some places, the name morphed into frog fruit. I don’t know where the “turkey tangle” part of the name came from.