Horticulture/Liriope

Liriope LyriopeSpicata wb.jpg Liriope Ruscaceae Grass-like perennials Some species spread aggressively. Insect Liriope is a genus of low, grass-like, flowering plants from East Asia. Some species are often used in landscaping in temperate latitudes. They often called lilyturf in North America, though they are often simply referred to as "Liriopes". Once classified with lilies in the family Liliaceae, genetic studies have caused the genus to be included in Ruscaceae. Description Liriopes are grass-like, rhizomatous perennials with broad, strap-like leaves. Flowers are borne on thin scapes, generally at about the same height as the foliage. Growing conditions Full sun to medium shade. Drought tolerant. Species Uses Liriope are usually used in the garden for their evergreen foliage. Some species, e.g., L. spicata, grow aggressively in the right conditions, spreading by runners; hence their nickname, "creeping lilyturf". Liriope spicata is used as a substitute for Ophiopogon japonicus in Chinese medicine as an herb for yin deficiency.Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica Third Edition by Daniel Bensky, Steven Clavey, Erich Stoger and Andrew Gamble. Eastland Press, 2004 Maintenance Propagation Harvesting Pests and diseases ../Crown Rot/ ../Phytophthora palmivora/ References University of Florida