It is found in Sierra Leone, southern Guinea, Liberia, and Ivory Coast.

[4] The specific name phyllophilus is derived from the Greek phyllon for leaves and philein for loving.

Females have white to gray throats with irregular dark spots and patches.

[2][4] The tadpoles are uniformly brown with hyaline fin carrying few small dots.

[2][4] Phrynobatrachus phyllophilus occur in swampy parts of primary rainforest at elevations up to 1,000 m (3,300 ft) above sea level, possibly higher.

It is negatively impacted by habitat loss caused by agricultural development, logging, and expanding human settlements.