Bokkon or Frogfruit, phyla nodiflora

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Bokkon or Frogfruit (phyla nodiflora, family: verbenaceae) is a creeper, 15-90 cm long. Stem is branched, nodes giving rise to aerial roots. The plant is is native to South America and the United States and has become naturalized in the warmer parts of the world. It grows on fallow land in Bangladesh. 

Common names: Bokkon, Frogfruit, Turkey tangle frogfruit, Capeweed


Flowers are small, violet, whorled on the top of 2-7 cm long spike inflorescence.


Leaves are small, sessile, obovate, front part serrate. 


The plant bears flower in the nodule. For this reason, the species has been named nodiflora. In Sanskrit, it is called Vasir and Vasuka.

A large colony

 The plant is propagated by seeds, root division and cuttings. Leaves are eaten as vegetables in rural areas to reduce pain and swelling of body. It is also used to destroy insects. Leaves are consumed as alternative to tea especially in the Philippines.

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