A taxonomic revision of the genus Phyla Lour. is provided. Phyla is a small genus in Verbenaceae, placed in the tribe Lantaneae and represented by five species and three varieties. Four species are found only in the Americas, and one, P. nodiflora (L.) Greene, is found worldwide in tropical and temperate areas. Detailed morphological descriptions are given for each taxon, as well as a key for their identification, illustrations, synonymy, distribution, selected specimens, and discussion about the relationships among closely related taxa. Cryptocalyx nepetifolia Benth. is lectotypified, and one new combination is proposed, P. nodiflora var. minor (Hook.) N. O'Leary & Múlgura.