CSIR-NEERI Biodiversity Portal

NEERI Biodiversity Portal

Easy access to campus Biodiversity...

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NBP was inaugurated by Dr. M.S. Ladania, Director, NRCC Nagpur on 8 April 2015

Frog fruit / Jal buti

(Phyla nodiflora L.)

Botanical name	: Phyla nodiflora L.
Common Name	: Frog fruit / Jal buti
Family	: Verbenaceae
Synonym	: Lippia nodiflora (L.) Michx.
About	: Frog Fruit is small, flowering, perennial herb with stems creeping and rooting at nodes, more or less square and hairy, native to South America The leaf arrangement is opposite. Each leaf has one to seven teeth on each edge starting at the widest point and continuing to the tip. The inflorescence Axillary globose heads which later on elongate and become spicate. Consists of a purple-coloured centre encircled by small white-to-pink flowers. The flower are Closed, bracteates Calyx deeply bilabiate Stamens 4. Fruit is Drupe dry, splitting into 2, 1-seeded pyrenes. Generally found near moist places and river beds. Fresh juice is applied to bleeding gums. Infusion of leaves and tender stalk is given to children in indigestion and to women after delivery.