Northern Fogfruit

(Phyla lanceolata)

Northern Fogfruit (Phyla lanceolata [Michx.] Greene)

Identification: Flowers small, white, with a purple center. Petals fused with 4 irregularly divided petal lobes. Flowers arranged in a circle around a purple, cylindrical club. Club situated on a tall stem arising from a leaf axil. Leaves in opposite pairs, smooth or sparsely hairy, ovate-elongate with a coarsely toothed outer margin.

Distribution: Throughout eastern and central North America.

Habitat: Northern Fogfruit is found on wet soils and is particularly common along the shores of rivers and lakes.

Flowering period: June to August.

Similar Species: The small white flowers in a circle about a globular or cylindrical flower head are distinctive.