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Liriope muscari - (Decne.)L.H.Bailey.

Common Name Lilyturf, Big blue lilyturf, Border Grass, Blue Lilyturf, Liriope
Family Convallariaceae
USDA hardiness 5-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Forests, bamboo forests, scrub, shady and moist places in ravines and on slopes at elevations of 100 - 1400 (occasionally to 2000) metres[266].
Range E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Liriope muscari Lilyturf, Big blue lilyturf, Border Grass, Blue Lilyturf, Liriope


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:KENPEI
Liriope muscari Lilyturf, Big blue lilyturf, Border Grass, Blue Lilyturf, Liriope
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:KENPEI

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Lavender. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Early fall, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Rounded.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Liriope muscari is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

L. platyphylla.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Root - cooked[105, 177]. Candied and used medicinally[61]. The roots sometimes have a fleshy, tuberous part near their tip[266].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiinflammatory  Aphrodisiac  Pectoral  Stimulant  Tonic

The root is antiinflammatory, antiallergic, aphrodisiac, pectoral and stimulant[61, 279]. It is used as a tonic in Korea to increase stamina and also as an expectorant[279].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

A good drought tolerant evergreen ground cover plant[200, 208]. Rather slow to spread though, needing weeding for the first year or two[197]. Plants should be spaced about 30cm apart each way[208].

Special Uses

Ground cover

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Ground cover, Massing, Rock garden, Seashore, Specimen, Woodland garden. Prefers a sandy soil[1]. Succeeds in full sun so long as the soil does not dry out in the summer, otherwise it should be grown in partial shade in any moderately fertile well-drained soil[200]. Requires a sunny position[208]. Established plants are fairly drought tolerant[190, 200], they succeed in dry shade[190]. Hardy to at least -15°c[200]. A very ornamental plant, there are many named varieties[200]. Slow to settle down after being planted but then grows away well[190]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]. There is a lot of confusion between this species and L. graminifolia, most of the plants being grown as L. graminifolia actually being this species[200]. Apart from its use as a ground cover plant, all the entries on this plant's uses actually belong to L. graminifolia but, because of the confusion, it is quite possible that they also apply to this species[K]. This species has thick dark tubers whilst L. graminifolia is rhizomatous[200]. Special Features:Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Naturalizing, Suitable for cut flowers, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing it in a cold frame or greenhouse as soon as the seed is ripe if possible, if not then sowing the stored seed in early spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring. Very easy, the larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Liriope graminifoliaLilyturfPerennial0.3 7-10  LMSNDM212
Liriope minor Perennial0.3 7-10  LMSNDM212
Liriope spicataLily Turf, Creeping liriope, Creeping LilyturfPerennial0.3 4-10 FLMSNDM212

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

(Decne.)L.H.Bailey.

Botanical References

200266

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

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