How to Kill Frog Fruit

Frog fruit (Phyla nodiflora) is commonly found throughout the Southern regions of the United States and is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10. Also known as matchweed, sawtooth, turkey tangle frogfruit, capweed and other monikers, frog fruit is a low-growing perennial that is suitable for use as a ground cover in low-traffic areas. Animals including deer, wild hogs use frog fruit as a food source and it makes a generally good nectar source for butterflies. Both mechanical and chemical options can be used to control the plant.

Gloves
Pruners
Shovel
Garden sprayer
Glyphosate herbicide
Measuring cup
Water

Instructions

- 1
  Put on gloves to protect your hands while working. Determine the areas from which you want to eliminate the frog fruit such as lawns, landscaped areas or flower beds.
- 2
  Pull the frog fruit out of the ground by hand. Grasp the woody runners of the plant and pull to remove as much of the root as possible. Use this method when the soil is moist or loamy making removal by hand possible.
- 3
  Remove frog fruit by digging. Use a shovel to dig the plant out of harder ground and remove as much of the root as possible.
- 4
  Spray the perennial with glyphosate herbicide. Add 2 2/3 ounces of herbicide to a garden spray tank. Fill the tank to the 1 gallon mark with water. Place the lid on the tank and shake to mix.
- 5
  Adjust the spray nozzle on the wand of the garden sprayer to a confined stream for better control and to prevent overspray. Place the nozzle close to the frog fruit and apply herbicide to the leaves and stem. Monitor the plant for several days watching for dieback. Make another application of the herbicide if necessary.

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