Liriope muscari
Liriope muscari | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Order: | Asparagales |
Family: | Asparagaceae |
Subfamily: | Nolinoideae |
Genus: | Liriope |
Species: | L. muscari
|
Binomial name | |
Liriope muscari | |
Synonyms[1] | |
Ophiopogon muscari Decne. |
Liriope muscari is a
Description
It is an understory plant in China, Japan, and Korea occurring in shady forests at elevations of 330–4,600 ft (101–1,402 m).[3]
It typically grows 30–45 cm (12–18 in) tall and features clumps of strap-like, arching, glossy, dark green leaves to ½ inch wide (1.3 cm).
Distinguishing characteristics
Distinguishing species in the genus Liriope is difficult at best, and mistaken identity occurs in commercial nurseries.[5] L. muscari is distinguished from Liriope spicata , the other most common species in the genus, by its fibrous rather than rhizomatous root system, its more prominent flower spike extending above the leaves (creeping lilyturf has a shorter spike more within leaves), and its generally wider and longer leaves.
Cultivation
Landscape uses include borders (along sidewalks, trails, driveways, shrubbery, and trees) and mass plantings as groundcover. Lilyturf can be established on steep slopes where erosion control is needed. Minimal maintenance is required.
Being an easy plant to grow, it is one of the most popular groundcovers in the southeastern United States and areas with a similar climate, and is commonly used in landscaping in temperate climates as border plants and groundcover.
In the United Kingdom Liriope muscari has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[6][7]
The species is easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Ideal conditions are moist, fertile soils with partial shade. However, lilyturf tolerates a wide range of light and soil conditions. Lilyturf is also tolerant of heat, humidity, and drought. The evergreen foliage often turns brown in late winter; old foliage can be cut back or mowed at a high setting before new shoots appear early spring. Lilyturf is suitable for
Propagation
Seeds
The plant is difficult to reproduce from seed due to several factors.
Division
Lilyturf is easily reproduced by dividing the root mass. The optimum time to do this is during the dormant season before onset of new growth.[5] Plants produced by division are identical to the mother plant; thus cultivar traits will be retained.
Problems
No serious diseases or pests occur for cultivated Liriope muscari. Root rot (
Some people feel that lilyturf in the United States has been overused as a landscaping plant and that functionally suitable native plants such as
Other uses
The roots, which often have fleshy tubers near their tip, are used in traditional Chinese medicine.[3]
References
- ^ "Liriope muscari (Decne.) L.H.Bailey". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
- ^ "Non-Native Invasive Plants in Northern Virginia and Regional Native Alternatives". Plant Virginia Natices. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
- ^ a b Plants for a Future: Liriope muscari.
- ^ Edward F. Gilman 1999. Liriope muscari. University of Florida: Cooperative Extension Service. Fact Sheet FPS 347.
- ^ a b "Mary C. Broussard. 2007. A Horticultural Study of Liriope and Ophiopogon: Nomenclature, Morphology and Culture. Louisiana State University. Dissertation. 129 p." (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-07-19. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
- ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Liriope muscari ". Retrieved 13 October 2022.
- ^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 61. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
- ^ John Jones; Sarah White. Seeds of Liriope muscari Require Warm Stratification for Germination. University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture, Department of Horticulture.
- ^ T. Shimomura, T. Kondo 2000. Seed Germination and Polyembryony of some Liliaceae Ground Covers Native to Japan. Horticulturae 517.
- ^ Jay Deputy. 1999. Liriope, the “Other” Mondo Grass. College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manona: Cooperative Extension Service.
- ^ Go Native: Dwarf gamma grass vs Liriope. Archived 2009-03-10 at the Wayback Machine