rranged in opposite pairs and each leaf may be up to 5 inches long. The plant itself may be up to three feet tall. Another distinguishing feature of this plant is the purple color of the plant's stems.
|American Lopseed - note small white flowers and seedpods that fold downward against the stem|
American Lopseed is the single plant in its genus (Phryma) in North America. Its range is primarily in the eastern half of the continent, being found in every state east of a line from North Dakota to Texas. There is also a connected population in northeast Colorado and an unconnected (probably introduced) population in one county in Northern California. Canadian populations can be found in Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick. This species is normally found in moist to dry forested habitats. There is a large patch of it growing near the bottom of the west set of stairs leading down to Mission Creek.