Lopseed (Phryma leptostachya, Sp. pl. 2:601. 1753)

Family: Phrymaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. pl. 2:601. 1753

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Phryma

Vegetable: False

Observations: C. & E. Canada to C. & E. U.S.A. and Mexico (Coahuila)

Description

Lopseed, scientifically known as Phryma leptostachya, is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Phrymaceae family. This plant was first described in the seminal work “Species Plantarum” by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753.

Lopseed thrives in a range of environments across central and eastern Canada, the United States, and as far south as Coahuila in Mexico. It typically grows in woodlands, alongside streams, and in other shaded, moist areas, demonstrating its adaptability to different climatic conditions within these regions.

This plant is characterized by its slender, erect stems that can reach heights of up to one meter. The leaves are opposite, ovate to lanceolate, and have serrated edges, providing a lush green backdrop to its otherwise inconspicuous flowers. Blooming in the summer months, Lopseed produces small, tubular flowers that are often pale pink or white, arranged in terminal spikes. These flowers are uniquely adapted for pollination by attracting small insects.

The name “lopseed” reflects the plant’s notable seed dispersal mechanism. After pollination, the plant’s seeds mature and develop small hooks, enabling them to latch onto passing animals or humans, facilitating their distribution over large distances.

Lopseed plays an important role in its native ecosystems, contributing to the biodiversity of understory vegetation. It provides food and habitat to various insects and wildlife. Because of its wide distribution and adaptability, Lopseed represents an interesting subject for botanical studies related to plant ecology and adaptation.

This resilient and understated plant offers much more than meets the eye, holding a subtle yet significant presence in the ecological tapestry of North America.

Common Names

Eng: american lopseed, lopseed, slender-spiked lopseed
Fra: phryma à épis grêles
En: Lopseed, American lopseed, Slender-spiked lopseed
Zh: 蠅毒草
Fr: Phryma à épis grêles
Ko: 파리풀
Zh-tw: 蠅毒草

Synonyms

• Phryma media (Raf.)
• Priva mitchellii (Endl.)
• Phryma leptostachya var. confertifolia (Fernald)
• Leptostachya leptostochya ((L.) MacMill.)
• Phryma pubescens (Raf.)
• Phryma parvifolia (Raf.)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Delaware (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)

Taken Aug 17, 2015 by EOL − Matt Rung (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 22, 2020 by JC King (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2022 by Richard Wideman (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2013 by EOL − Charlie Hohn (cc-by-nc)

Flower

Taken Nov 23, 2013 by EOL − Erin Faulkner (cc-by-nc)

Taken Nov 23, 2013 by EOL − Erin Faulkner (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 11, 2021 by Sara Dupree (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2017 by Tasha Van Dinther (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2022 by Victoria Hill (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Habit

Taken Jul 21, 2013 by EOL − Kent McFarland (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 8, 2015 by EOL − Melissa McMasters (cc-by)

Taken Jun 15, 2015 by EOL − Ashton Tassin (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jun 22, 2015 by EOL − eliahd24 (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 18, 2015 by EOL − bendingtree (cc-by-nc)

Bark

Taken Mar 17, 2016 by EOL − Scott Schuette (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Gerrit Davidse (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2004 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2004 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Nov 9, 2015 by EOL − Kyle Jones (cc-by-nc)

Fruit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Gerrit Davidse (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2925445)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:282742-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Phryma leptostachya L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth