Health benefits of Fog fruit

The formal name for frog fruit or fog fruit is Phyla nodiflora. It is a flowering plant with broad leaves that belongs to the Verbenaceae J. St.-Hil. The plant is native to North and South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia, and it can be found in many other places around the world. Many people think of this plant as a weed because it grows in fields, especially those that are watered often. Some common names for the plants are Frog fruit, Trailing clusterweed, Fog fruit, Cat’s foot, Carpetweed, Sawtooth fogfruit, wild long pepper, Turkey-tangle frogfruit, Capeweed, Turkey tangle fogfruit, Frog fruit, Sawtooth fogfruit, Turkey tangle, Carpet Grass, Turkey-tangle, Common Fogfruit, Creeping Charlie, Turkey-tangle frogfruit, Blue lips, and Mat grass.

The name of the genus, Phyla, comes from the Greek word “phylon,” which means “tribe” or “race.” This word tells us that the plant belongs to a certain group in the plant world. The group of herbaceous plants in the genus Phyla is called Phyla. Many of these plants are known for their medicinal qualities and other uses. The name “nodiflora” comes from the Latin words “nodus,” which means “knot” or “node,” and “flora,” which means “flower.” The way the flowers of Phyla nodiflora are arranged is one of the things that make it stand out. The name “nodiflora” comes from the way the small flowers on the plant grow together in thick, knotted clusters. These groups of flowers, called inflorescences, make the plant look unique and interesting. The plant is picked from the wild and used as medicine in the area. In tropical and warm temperate parts of the world, it is sometimes grown as a decorative plant and ground cover.

Fog fruit Facts

Plant Description

Fog fruit or Frog Fruit is a low-growing, ornamental, herbaceous, evergreen, annual creeping plant with many branches that grows between 10 and 30 cm. The plant grows in a wide range of places, such as marshes, meadows, wet prairies, near rivers, ponds, paddy fields, ditches, brackish water, disturbed areas, lawns, gardens, and along roadsides. The plant does best in moderately fertile soil that drains well. It can grow in different kinds of dirt, like sandy, loamy, or clay. But it’s important to stay away from grounds that are too wet or too hard, as these can hurt its growth and root development.

Appropriate Growing conditions of Fog Fruit

Fog fruit can thrive when provided with the appropriate growing conditions and care. To maximize its potential and enjoy its benefits, here are some guidelines for growing fog fruit:

• Sunlight Requirements: Fog fruit does best in full sun to a little bit of shade. Make sure the spot where you plant gets at least 6 hours of direct sunshine each day. Some shade during the hottest part of the day can help keep leaves from getting burned in places where it gets very hot.
• Soil Conditions: Fog fruit grows best in dirt that drains well and isn’t too rich in nutrients. It can grow in a variety of soils, like sandy, loamy, or clay. But it’s important to stay away from grounds that are too wet or too hard, as these can hurt its growth and root development.
• Watering: Even though fog fruit can handle weather well once it’s established, it needs to be watered regularly while it’s getting started. Deeply and completely water the plant, letting the soil dry out a little between watering. Don’t drink too much because it can cause root rot and other problems.
• Fertilization: Most fog fruit does not need a lot of fertilizer. Early in the spring, a small amount of balanced organic fertilizer can help plants grow well. Don’t use too many nitrogen-rich fertilizers because that can cause too much plant growth.
• Pruning and Maintenance: Fog fruit needs to be pruned and taken care of regularly. Cut the plant back to keep it the size and shape you want. Remove any leaves that are dead, broken, or no longer blooming to encourage new growth and keep the plant looking neat.
• Mulching: By putting a layer of vegetable mulch around the base of fog fruit plants, you can help keep water in the soil, stop weeds from growing, and keep the temperature of the soil stable. Keep the mulch at a level of 2–3 inches and keep it away from the base of the plant so it doesn’t rot.
• Propagation: Fog fruit can be grown from either seeds or pieces of stem. Gather the mature seeds from the dried flower heads and plant them in dirt that has been well prepared. You could also take stem cuttings from healthy plants and put them in a rooting medium that drains well.
• Consider Local Regulations: Before you plant fog fruit, you should find out what the rules are in your area for growing it. Fog fruit may be called invasive in some areas, and planting it may be limited or discouraged. Stay in the know and choose plants that are right for your area.
• Regular Monitoring: It’s important to check on fog fruit often to make sure it grows well and catch any problems early. Look for signs of pests, diseases, and weeds. Take care of any problems right away so they don’t hurt the plant’s health.

Roots

Roots of fog fruits usually form a network of fibers. This means that the plant doesn’t have a single big taproot. Instead, it grows a lot of small roots that spread out in many directions. The plant’s ability to get water and nutrients from the earth is improved by its fibrous root system. Most fog fruit roots are white to light brown in color. The roots may look a little rough or textured on the outside, which helps them take in water and nutrients from the dirt.

The surface of roots is made up of tiny root hairs. These tiny, hair-like protrusions make the roots much bigger, which makes it easier for them to take in water and minerals from the soil. It may also grow new roots on its own. These roots can grow from stems or other parts of the plant that are above ground. They serve many purposes, such as giving the plant more support, absorbing nutrients, or reproducing. Adventitious roots help the plant be strong and able to grow in different places. The growth takes place at the tips. Root caps often protect these tips and help the plant move through the soil. As the roots grow and explore the soil around them, they branch out, making a complex network of fine roots that can explore a bigger area of soil.

Stem

Stems are grass, which means they don’t have woody parts and aren’t too hard. Herbaceous stems are flexible and usually green, unlike the stiff, woody stems of trees and bushes. Depending on how the environment is, fog fruit stems can grow both straight up and flat on the ground. When conditions are right, the roots can grow straight up and reach a height of a few centimeters to a few decimeters. In less-than-ideal situations, the stems may grow along the ground instead of up.

The nodes and internodes make up a stem. Nodes are the places on a plant where leaves, branches, or flowers grow. Internodes are the parts of the stem between the nodes that determine how far apart the leaves and other parts of the stem are. The stem is usually green because it has chlorophyll, a pigment that is necessary for photosynthesis. The stem is generally smooth, especially in the younger parts. As the stem gets older, it may get small ridges or grooves.

Bark

Fog fruit is an herbaceous plant, so it doesn’t grow the thick, woody parts that trees and bushes do. Instead, the cortex of its stem stays thin and bendable. Because of this, fog fruit can grow in different places and in different circumstances. Fog fruit’s stem cortex acts as a barrier against threats from the outside and helps the plant adapt to its surroundings. It keeps from losing too much water, keeps the temperature from changing too much, and gives some physical support.

Leaves

The leaves are usually between 1 and 3 centimeters long, which is not very long. They are oval, with rounded sides and a shape that is a little bit longer than it is wide. The leaves are easy to tell apart from other types of plants because of their size and shape. On the roots, the leaves grow in pairs, one after the other. This means that the leaves grow at different heights from the stem and switch sides as they grow. The way the leaves are arranged adds to the beauty of the plant as a whole. Leaves are usually a bright green color, but this can change based on things like how much sunlight they get and how the soil is. The leaves are smooth and have a shiny surface that lets light shine through. When you hold the leaves up to the light, they may look see-through.

Leaves of fog fruit have large veins that run parallel to each other and branch out from the middle midrib. These lines give the leaf its shape and carry water and nutrients to all parts of the plant. The ends of fog fruit leaves are slightly cut, which makes them look like they have texture. When the leaves of a fog fruit are crushed or rubbed together, they give off a pleasant smell. The smell can be described as slightly aromatic and a little bit fresh. This makes the experience of coming across fog fruit leaves even more interesting.

Flowers

Inflorescences are groups of flowers that grow close together. These clusters are made up of many smallflowers that are close to each other, making a beautiful show. The individual flowers are usually less than or equal to 1 centimeter in diameter. They have a unique shape with four or five petals that spread out from a center point. Most of the time, the petals are round or just a little bit long, which makes the flowers look delicate and pretty.

Most of the time, the flowers are a bright shade of purple, but they can also be lavender, pink, or white. These colorful petals make the flowers look nice and also act as beacons to draw pollinators. Sepals, which look like leaves and cover the flower bud as it grows, wrap around the base of the petals. Inside of the flowers are the stamens, which are the male reproductive parts that make pollen. The number of stamens can change, but there are usually between four and five of them. Most fog fruit flowers bloom in the spring, summer and sometimes early autumn, when it is hot. The exact blooming time may change based on where the plant is and what the weather is like.

Fruits

The fruits are small, with a width of about 2 to 3 millimeters. They look like small berries or drupes because they are round. Fog fruit fruits are easy to tell apart from the fruits of other plants because of their size and shape. At first, the fruits of the fog fruit look green. As they get older, their colors get darker, going from purple to black. This change in color means the fruit is ready. The fruits are smooth and have a slight shine to them. Most fruits grow in groups that are close together at the base of the stem or along the leaf axils. When the fruits are ready to be picked, these groups add to the plant’s appearance.

There is a small amount of edible pulp around the seeds of fog fruit. Some people love eating the pulp because it has a mild, sweet-sour taste. But the fruits aren’t usually thought of as important ingredients in cooking.

Seeds

Seeds are usually between 1 and 2 millimeters in thickness. They are round or oval and have a slightly flattened form. Because fog fruit seeds are small and round, they are easy to spread and grow. Most of the time, they are dark brown or black, which helps them stand out against their lighter settings. The skin of the seed is smooth and may look shiny.

The seed coat or testa is the top layer of the seed. This layer of protection is there to protect the fragile baby inside. Depending on the seed, the appearance and thickness of the seed coat can be different. Inside the seed coat is the immature plant, which, given the right conditions, could grow into a full-grown fog fruit plant. The shoot tip, the root tip, and the cotyledons are all parts of the embryo that are important for growth.

Ethno-medicinal uses of Fog fruit

S.N	Plant Part Used / Form of Ethno-medicine	Ethno-medicinal Uses and Therapeutics
1.	Whole Plant (Pills)	Micturition, dysuria, bleeding piles
2.	Leaf juice	Dandruff, leaf juice mixed and boiled with an equal volume of gingelly oil, is applied twice a week on the head.
3.	Flowers, Leaves or Roots (Crude)	Oral Thrush
4.	Whole Plant (Crude)	Nervous disorders, gonorrhea,  arthritis, eczema, rheumatoid pain, constipation, spasms, heatstroke.
	Leaf and Stem	Dizziness, headache, fever
	Stem Bark and Leaf (Crude)	Back Pain due to fall or Rheumatic pain
5.	Whole Plant (Crude)	Common Cold
6.	Whole Plant (Crude)	Jaundice
7.	Whole plant (Paste and juice)	Paste for boils, chronic indolent ulcers and swollen cervical glands. The juice is for bleeding gums.
8.	Stem and Leaf (Paste)	Headache (Forehead)
	Young Stem (Paste)	Broken bones
9.	Whole Plant (Decoction)	Skin rashes
10.	Whole plant (Cooked)	Edible
11.	Leaves and Roots (Extract)	Antibacterial
12.	Whole Plant (Paste)	Cure ulcer, burning Micturition and asthma.
13.	Whole Plant, Tender stalks, Leaves, Fruits (Crude and Paste)	·         Diuretic, fever, cold, maturation of boils, useful in children indigestion, piles (control irritation) ·         Fodder for sheep and goats (Capra hircus)

 

Varieties of Fog Fruit

Fog fruit exhibits natural variation, leading to the development of different cultivars and forms. Let’s explore some notable varieties of fog fruit in detail, highlighting their unique characteristics and distinguishing features.

• Phyla nodiflora ‘Santa Cruz’: This type is known for growing in a small space and having a lot of leaves. “Santa Cruz” grows in low mats of bright green leaves, which makes it a great choice for covering the ground in parks and other outdoor spaces. It does well in full sun to light shade and can grow in different types of soil.
• Phyla nodiflora ‘Aussie Snow’: A cultivar called “Aussie Snow” is prized for its leaves that are different colors. The green and creamy white colors of the leaves make the plant more interesting to look at. This variety does best in full sun and soil that drains well, so it can be used in both decorative gardens and pots.
• Phyla nodiflora ‘Trailing Lantana’: This trailing fog fruit has long, cascading stems that work well in hanging baskets, raised beds, or as a ground cover on hills. “Trailing Lantana” has a lot of small purple flowers that bring bees and butterflies to the yard.
• Phyla nodiflora ‘Pink Carpet’: “Pink Carpet” is a popular cultivar because it has so many pink flowers. It gives gardens and fields a splash of color and brings bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. “Pink Carpet” likes full sun and soil that drains well, so it works well in rock gardens and along borders.
• Phyla nodiflora ‘Alba’: “Alba” is a type of fog fruit with white flowers that stand out. It looks calm and elegant, which goes well with other plants in the yard. “Alba” does well in full sun to light shade and does well in many different types of soil.
• Phyla nodiflora ‘Bonnie’s Green’: “Bonnie’s Green” is a famous variety because it grows quickly and thickly, like a carpet. It makes a thick mat of green leaves, which makes it a great choice for ground cover. “Bonnie’s Green” does better in full sun than in part shade, and it can grow in different types of soil.

Health Benefits of Fog Fruit

Fog fruit is a unique plant that not only makes fields look nicer but also helps people in many ways. This piece looks at the specific health benefits of fog fruit, focusing on its medicinal properties and traditional uses. Fog fruit has shown promise in many areas of health, from skin health to breathing problems. Let’s explore the detailed health benefits of fog fruit and how it can contribute to your overall well-being.

1. Skin Health and Wound Healing

In the past, fog fruit was used to keep the face healthy and help wounds heal. The plant has chemicals that reduce inflammation and kill bacteria, which makes it useful for treating skin problems. People with skin irritations, rashes, eczema, and dermatitis have used it as a natural treatment. Poultices or other topical treatments made from fog fruit may help reduce inflammation, reduce redness, and speed up the healing of wounds.

2. Respiratory Conditions

Fog fruit is good for your lung health as well as other things. It has been used in traditional medicine to treat coughs, colds, and asthma by making the symptoms go away. The plant has qualities that can help bring down fever caused by respiratory infections. Fog fruit extracts or liquids may help clear up congestion, calm coughs, and help your lungs feel better.

3. Digestive Aid

In some old ways of healing, fog fruit was used to help the body digest food. It is thought to have carminative properties that help ease stomach pain, gas, and bloating. The plant may help stimulate digestion and improve the health of the digestive system as a whole. If you drink plant teas or tinctures made from fog fruit in moderation, it may help your digestive system.

4. Anti-inflammatory Effects

Inflammation is often a root cause of many health problems. Fog fruit is made up of bioactive substances that have anti-inflammatory effects and could help treat diseases that cause inflammation. With these qualities, arthritis, joint pain, and some skin conditions that cause inflammation may get better. You might get anti-inflammatory benefits from fog fruit if you eat it or put it on your skin.

5. Antioxidant Support

Fog fruit has a lot of antioxidants, which are substances that help protect the body from reactive stress and damage to cells. Antioxidants are very important because they get rid of dangerous free radicals, which can cause chronic diseases and speed up the ageing process. Because fog fruit has antioxidants, eating it regularly may help keep cells healthy and protect them from damage caused by free radicals.

6. Stress Reduction

Stress is a common thing that can hurt both your mental and physical health. Some studies show that fog fruit may have adaptogenic traits that can help the body deal with stress and make you feel more relaxed. Fog fruit may help you feel less stressed and more relaxed if you use it in plant remedies or eat it.

7. Immune Support

There are several bioactive substances in fog fruit that may help the immune system. To stay healthy generally and avoid getting sick, you need a strong immune system. The plant may help fight off pathogens and boost the body’s natural defenses because it has antimicrobial qualities. Adding fog fruit to your diet can be a good way to strengthen your defense system.

8. Anticancer Potential

Some early tests have shown that fog fruit may be good for fighting cancer. Some chemicals in the plant have been shown to slow the growth of cancer cells and cause them to die in a process called apoptosis. But more study is needed to figure out the exact mechanisms and how they might be used to treat cancer.

9. Fever Reduction

In some old ways of treating fever, fog fruit was used to help bring it down. The leaves are made into different drinks, like soups or decoctions, to help with fever symptoms. People think that fog fruit has qualities that help cool the body and bring down the temperature.

10. Urinary Tract Support

In the past, fog fruit was used to help keep the urinary system healthy. It is used to ease the pain and other symptoms of urinary tract infections and to calm the urinary system. People think that fog fruit can help clean the urinary system and improve urinary health in general.

11. Kidney Stones

Fog Fruit has great anti-urolithiatic qualities that help keep kidney stones from forming. But it not only stops kidney stones from forming, it also treats stones that have already formed.

12. Fever, Cold, & Cough

The juice of this plant is used to help people with fevers, especially those with malaria, feel better. You can also steam the whole plant and breathe it in to help with coughs and colds.

13. Wound Care, Burns, & Boils

Fog fruit is very good at killing germs. This, along with the fact that it helps wounds heal faster, makes it a great plant for wounds. It is most often used as a poultice, but it can also be used to soothe burns because it is cooling and demulcent. A paste made from the fresh plant can also be used to help boils come to a head and heal more quickly.

14. Insect Repellent

Because fog fruit leaves smell good, they are often used as a natural way to keep bugs away. In the past, people rubbed the leaves on their face or put them in certain places to keep insects and mosquitoes away. People think that the strong smell of fog fruit is a good way to keep flies away.

15. Dandruff

There is two traditional treatments for dandruff that use Fog Fruit.

• 16. Hair Oil: Boil fresh Frog Fruit leaves in coconut oil until all the water is gone. Take it off the heat, let it cool, and strain. You can use it as a hair oil to get rid of dandruff, and it can also be used as a treatment oil to keep your hair wet. Massage it into the head and leave it on for two hours before rinsing or washing.
• Hair Pack: Put enough Frog Fruit powder in a bowl to make a paste that will cover the whole head. Add enough rice water and 1/4 tsp of coconut oil to make a paste, and then use this as a hair pack. Wait 30 minutes before you start to wash.

16. Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids have been treated with fog fruit for a long time. Crush the fresh plant; mix it with water, and then drain. Most people take this every day on an empty stomach for about a week.

17. Diabetes

Anti-diabetic properties in fog fruit help drop blood sugar. Because of this, it is a very good natural way to lower blood sugar levels. It also helps get rid of extra water in the body, which can help with diabetes.

Traditional uses and benefits of Fog fruit

• It is used to treat rashes, fevers, and stomach problems.
• It was also often put on cuts and burns as a poultice.
• It is used to treat skin diseases like eczema and dermatitis.
• Its leaves can help relieve the symptoms of coughs, colds, and bronchitis.
• Leaves can help your lungs feel better and help you breathe better.
• Leaves have been used for a long time to help digestion and ease stomach pain.
• The leaves have been used to calm irritation, lessen redness, and make the face look better overall.
• In India, people put a paste made of leaves on bumps and cuts.
• A tea made from toasted tender stalks and leaves is used to treat indigestion in children.
• Stomach problems are treated with juice from roots.
• People also use it to treat hookworms.
• Women also use it after giving birth.
• Hindus use it as a paste to cause boils.
• A fresh plant poultice is used to help boils heal faster.
• It is used to treat liver problems, get rid of dandruff, and help kids who have trouble digesting.
• People with joint pain, constipation, sores, boils, swollen cervical glands, or gonorrhea take this plant.
• It is used to treat asthma, bronchitis, heart, blood, and eye problems.
• A paste or poultice made from the plant is used to treat swollen cervical glands, erysipelas, and chronic ulcers that don’t heal quickly.
• In Sindh folk medicine, acne is treated by putting ground leaves on the face.
• In Pakistan, people with hemorrhoids take a crushed fresh plant mixed with water and drained, then taken on an empty stomach every day for about a week.
• Fresh juice is put on gums that are bleeding.
• Paste or poultice is also used on swollen cervical glands, erysipelas, burns, and slow-healing sores that have been around for a long time.
• People say it can help treat blennorrhoea, lithiasis, ischuria, constipation, and knee pain.
• A liquid is used as a tonic after giving birth.
• In Nepal, fever is treated with a decoction of the fresh whole plant or the root.
• In Nepal, people with small stomach problems use fresh juice made from roots or parts that grow above ground. In Iran, people use dried whole plants.
• The leaves are used to treat asthma and other lung problems in Vietnam.
• It is also used to treat diarrhea, dysentery, gonorrhea, boils, sores, herpes, and burning when urinating.
• The juice from the root is used to treat stomach problems.
• When taken by mouth, it lowers the swelling of piles.
• Make a paste out of the ground-up leaves and put it on your head and hair. After 2 hours, wash your hair.

Culinary Uses

Fog fruit not only offers medicinal benefits but also has culinary uses that can add a unique touch to dishes. Let’s delve into the culinary uses of fog fruit in detail, exploring its flavor profile and how it can be incorporated into various culinary creations.

• Edible Leaves: The leaves of the fog fruit can be eaten and used in cooking. They taste mild and a little sour, with a hint of something herbal. People like the soft texture and less bitter taste of young leaves. You can add fresh fog fruit leaves to salads, sandwiches, or wraps to make them more crisp and herbaceous.
• Herbal Infusions and Teas: Herbal brews and teas can be made with fog fruit leaves. Steep a handful of fresh or dried leaves in hot water for a few minutes to bring out their flavor and smell. The resulting infusion tastes slightly herbal and is great on its own or with a little honey to make it sweeter.
• Flavorful Garnish: The delicate leaves of fog fruit make great garnishes that make meals look better and taste better. Just before serving, sprinkle a few fresh leaves on top of soups, stews, or main dishes. The leaves not only add a pop of green color, but they also give the dish a mildly sour and grassy flavor.
• Condiment or Seasoning: You can make a powder out of dried fog fruit leaves and use it as a condiment or spice. The powdered leaves give foods a unique taste of herbs. Add more flavor to roasted veggies, grilled meats, or marinades, rubs or dressings by sprinkling the powder on top.
• Floral Ice Cubes or Drinks: The flowers of fog fruit can be used to make floral ice cubes or drinks with a nice look. For a classy touch, freeze the flowers in ice cube boxes with water or add them to cold drinks. The flower essence blends slowly into the drink, making it taste better overall.
• Jams and Jellies: Fog fruit has small fruits that can be used to make jams and jellies. When the berries are ready, they can be cooked down with sugar and other things to make a spread that is sweet and sour. Use jam or jelly made from fog fruit as a special filling for desserts or on toast or pastries.

Different Uses

Fog fruit is a versatile plant that offers a range of uses, showcasing its adaptability and practicality. Let’s delve into the different uses of fog fruit in detail, highlighting its versatility and specific applications.

• Ground Cover: People often use fog fruit as a ground cover plant. It grows in a way that makes it spread out, and it can make dense mats of leaves. This makes it a great choice for controlling erosion, stopping weeds from growing, and making fields look nice. It is often planted on slopes, between stepping stones, or in flower beds to fill in the spaces between taller plants.
• Pollinator Attractor: Pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are very attracted to the flowers of fog fruit. By putting fog fruit in your yard or landscape, you can make it a good place for pollinators, helping them stay healthy and have lots of babies. This, in turn, helps pollinate other plants and makes the environment as a whole more diverse.
• Wildlife Habitat: The thick leaves and ground cover of fog fruit make it a great place for small animals to live. Its lush plants provide birds, insects, and other helpful creatures with places to hide, nest, and eat. By putting fog fruit in your yard, you can help make a place where many different animals can live and thrive, which is good for the environment as a whole.
• Erosion Control: Fog fruit is very good at stopping soil from washing away. It grows in a way that makes it spread out, and it has a large root system that helps hold the earth in place on slopes, banks, and other places where erosion is a problem. The thick mat of leaves acts as a protective cover, lowering the chance that dirt will wash away and keeping the landscape’s shape.
• Ornamental Planting: Fog fruit is often used as an ornament because it has pretty leaves and grows slowly. It can be used to improve the look of outdoor areas by being planted in borders, rock gardens, containers, or as an edger. It can grow in many different types of dirt and light, which makes it a good choice for landscaping.
• Soil Improvement: The deep roots of fog fruit help improve the structure of the earth and the way nutrients move through it. Its roots go deep into the soil, which lets more air in and helps break down organic waste. In turn, this makes the earth healthier, more fertile, and better at keeping water. By growing fog fruit in your yard, you can help improve the ecosystem of the soil.
• Natural Weed Suppressant: Fog fruit has thick leaves that make it hard for weeds to grow. By making a thick mat, it covers the soil and stops weed seeds from sprouting so they can’t compete with the plants you want to grow. This makes it less important to use chemicals to kill weeds and makes farming more environmentally friendly.
• Educational Purposes: Fog fruit can be used in schools to teach about plant variety, how plants interact with their environment, and how important pollinators are. It is a good plant for teaching gardens, nature centers, and botanical displays because it grows in different ways and helps wildlife. It gives people a chance to learn by doing and helps them understand the natural world better.
• Natural Dye: Natural dyes can be made from the leaves and roots of fog fruit. When the plant parts are boiled, pigments come out that can be used to color linens, yarns, and even paper. The colors that come out of this process can range from soft greens to earthy browns. This is a natural and sustainable choice to dyes made from chemicals.
• Livestock Forage: Livestock, like cows, sheep, and goats that graze, can eat fog fruit as a healthy source of food. The plant has a lot of protein and tastes good, which makes it a good addition to grazing fields and a food source for animals.
• Environmental Restoration: Fog fruit is often used in environmental repair projects because it can grow in different types of soil and can stop erosion. It is used to stop soil erosion in places like stream banks, road embankments, or fields that have been damaged. The dense root system of fog fruit helps keep soil from washing away and helps other plant types grow.
• Green Roof Planting: Because fog fruit is easy to grow and grows slowly, it can be planted on green roofs. It can handle dry conditions and does well in shallow soil, which makes it a good choice for green roof systems. On a green roof, it can provide insulation, slow the flow of rainwater, and add to the general look of the garden.
• Compost Activator: Fog fruit leaves and twigs can be used as a green part of a compost pile. Adding fog fruit trimmings to compost piles gives them a source of nitrogen, which speeds up the decomposition process and makes nutrient-rich compost that can be used for farming.
• Habitat Restoration: Fog fruit is used in projects to fix up habitats, especially in places where native plant species have been moved or destroyed. It is a useful plant for restoring natural ecosystems and supporting biodiversity because it can grow in different places and give food and shelter to wildlife.
• Herbal Bath and Skincare: By putting fog fruit leaves in warm bathwater, you can make a relaxing plant bath that may help your body relax and your skin stay healthy. The infusion can also be used as a natural face toner or added to do-it-yourself skin care recipes because it might help the skin feel fresh and calm.
• Aromatic Potpourri and Sachets: Fog fruit leaves and flowers can be dried and used to make potpourri or bags. Their pleasant smell adds a natural, refreshing scent to closets, drawers, or rooms, creating a calm atmosphere and bringing a bit of nature indoors.
• Craft and Floral Arrangements: Fog fruit has tiny flowers and pretty leaves that can be used in craft projects and flower arrangements. Whether they are fresh or dried, they add a unique touch to wreaths, flowers, and other decorations, giving them a natural and whimsical feel.
• Natural Insect Repellent: Due to its smell, fog fruit has long been used as a natural way to keep insects away. Fog fruit’s crushed leaves or essential oil can be rubbed on the skin or mixed into sprays to keep insects and mosquitoes away. This is a chemical-free way to stay safe outdoors.
• Educational Plant Studies: Fog fruit is a useful plant for education because it lets students study how it grows, how it lives, and how it affects the environment. It can be used as a model organism in botanical studies. This helps people learn about plant life and gives them hands-on learning opportunities.
• Green Manure: Green waste crops, like fog fruit, can be used in farming. If you put fog fruit in fields that aren’t being used for crops or between crop rotations, its fast growth and dense foliage can help keep weeds from growing, protect the soil from being washed away, and improve the structure of the soil by mixing in organic matter when you till it under.

Side Effects of Fog Fruit

While fog fruit is generally considered safe for consumption and use, it’s important to be aware of potential side effects and considerations. Here are some details regarding the possible side effects of fog fruit:

• Allergic Reactions: Fog fruit could make some people sick if they are allergic to it. Allergies can cause a wide range of symptoms, such as rashes, itching, swelling, or trouble breathing. If you have an allergic response to fog fruit after touching it or eating it, you should stop using it and see a doctor.
• Digestive Discomfort: When fog fruit is eaten, it can sometimes cause mild digestion problems like stomach upset, bloating, or diarrhea. Most of the time, these affects are short-term and go away on their own. If you have stomach problems that don’t go away or are very bad, you should talk to a doctor.
• Interaction with Medications: Some medicines may combine with fog fruit. Before using fog fruit for medical reasons, you should talk to your doctor if you are taking medicine for a specific health problem. They can give advice about possible conflicts or side effects.
• Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: There isn’t much known about whether fog fruit is safe to eat while pregnant or nursing. Before using fog fruit for medicine or in large amounts, people who are pregnant or nursing should talk to a doctor or nurse to make sure that both mother and child are healthy.
• Pre-existing Conditions: People who already have health problems, such as liver or kidney problems, stomach problems, or allergies, should be careful when using fog fruit. Talking to a doctor is the best way to find out if fog fruit is good for your particular health situation.

Prevention and Control Measures

Fog fruit can be a beneficial plant, but in certain situations, it may require prevention and control measures to manage its growth and spread. Here are some measures to consider:

• Site Selection: When you plant fog fruit, be careful about where you put it. Choose places where the plant’s spreading growth and dense foliage will be an advantage instead of a problem. Don’t put it in places where it could take over or choke out other plants.
• Regular Monitoring: It’s important to check on fog fruit often so you can spot any signs of too much growth or spreading. Keep an eye on how it grows and see if it is getting too close to other plants or places where it is not wanted. Early discovery lets people act quickly.
• Pruning and Trimming: To stop fog fruit from spreading, the plants can be pruned and trimmed regularly. Cut the plant back to keep it where you want it and to keep it from taking over other plants or places. Pruning can also help keep the plant from spreading out too much.
• Mulching: By putting mulch around fog fruit trees, you can slow their growth and stop them from spreading. Mulch works as a barrier, stopping new shoots from growing and making it less likely that plants will grow in places you don’t want them to.
• Hand Pulling or Digging: Fog fruit can be removed by hand pulling or digging out small groups of plants or single plants in places where they don’t belong. Make sure that the whole root system is taken out to stop the plant from coming back. Be careful to get rid of any new shoots that come up.
• Chemical Control: Herbicides may be used to get rid of fog fruit when it is very widespread or hard to control by hand. Talk to an expert or your local agricultural extension office for advice on the best herbicides and how to use them. Always do what the herbicide package says to do and avoid getting hurt.
• Containment Barriers: The growth and spread of fog fruit can be stopped by putting up real barriers, like edging or barriers that go under the ground. These barriers make a limit that keeps its roots from growing in places where they don’t belong.
• Regular Maintenance: Regular care tasks, like weeding, can help stop fog fruit from growing in places where you don’t want it to. By getting rid of seeds and young plants right away, you can stop them from growing and spreading.
• Education and Awareness: It is very important to get the word out about how fog fruit could spread. Inform yourself and others about how it grows, what effects it might have, and how to handle it properly. Encourage good planning and management to stop it from spreading unintentionally.

References:

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/59040-Phyla-nodiflora

http://www.stuartxchange.com/Busbusi.html

http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-153218

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phyla_nodiflora

http://www.flowersofindia.net/catalog/slides/Frog%20Fruit.html

https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/3/7/3716

https://biodiversity.bt/species/show/2370

https://uses.plantnet-project.org/e/index.php?title=Phyla_nodiflora_(PROSEA)&mobileaction=toggle_view_desktop

https://apg.pir.sa.gov.au/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomydetail?id=101146

https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/LIPNO

https://indiabiodiversity.org/species/show/230730?pos=

https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=32197#null

http://www.hear.org/pier/species/phyla_nodiflora.htm

https://pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?latinname=Phyla+nodiflora

https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/cabicompendium.110295

https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Phyla+nodiflora

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