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Liriope spicata - (Thunb.)Lour.

Common Name Lily Turf, Creeping liriope, Creeping Lilyturf
Family Convallariaceae
USDA hardiness 4-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Forests, grassy slopes, hillsides and moist places from near sea level to 1800 metres[266].
Range E. Asia - China.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Liriope spicata Lily Turf, Creeping liriope, Creeping Lilyturf


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Bsm15
Liriope spicata Lily Turf, Creeping liriope, Creeping Lilyturf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Ram-Man

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Lavender. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Rounded, Spreading or horizontal, Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Liriope spicata is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in leaf all year, in flower from August to September. 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

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

The following use is reported for L. graminifolia, but there is a lot of confusion between members of this genus (compare [58] and [200]) and it is quite possible that the root of this species is also used[K]. Root - cooked[105, 177, 179]. Candied and used medicinally[61]. The roots are usually with fusiform with a fleshy, tuberous part near the tip[266]. Rich in mucilage, the root also contains about 1.6% protein, 0.5% fat, 80% carbohydrate and 2.3% ash[179].

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.
Aphrodisiac  Pectoral  Stimulant

The root is aphrodisiac, pectoral and stimulant[61].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

A good drought tolerant evergreen ground cover plant[200]. Plants should be spaced about 45cm apart each way, they can be invasive though[208]. Plants have been grown indoors in pots in order to help remove toxins from the atmosphere. It is especially good at removing ammonia[259].

Special Uses

Ground cover

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Container, Erosion control, Ground cover, Massing, Rock garden, Seashore, 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]. There are some named forms selected for their ornamental value[200]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]. Special Features: Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Invasive, Naturalizing, Suitable for cut flowers, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant 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 Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Anhui Sheng, Fujian Sheng, Gansu Sheng, Guangdong Sheng, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, Guizhou Sheng, Henan Sheng, Hubei Sheng, Hunan Sheng, Jiangsu Sheng, Jiangxi Sheng, Ningxia Huizi Zizhiqu, Shaanxi Sheng, Shandong Sheng, Shanxi Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Yunnan Sheng, Zhejiang Sheng), Japan (Honshu, Kyushu, Ryukyu Islands, Shikoku), Taiwan TROPICAL ASIA: Vietnam

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 muscariLilyturf, Big blue lilyturf, Border Grass, Blue Lilyturf, LiriopePerennial0.3 5-10 SLMSNDM212

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.

 

Expert comment

Author

(Thunb.)Lour.

Botanical References

200266

Links / References

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

Readers comment

David Beaulieu   Tue Mar 21 2006

Liriope Spicata Introduction to Liriope and its use in the home landscape.

m.taylor   Wed Aug 8 2007

I believe I have liriope spicata and it seems to be very invasive and spredding through our front lawn. I wonder if there is anything I can do to prevent more of it from spredding and how do I get rid of what has already spread around my lawn. I love it as a border but I need to control it. Please help!!!!!

Chad Abrahamson   Tue Sep 23 2008

I have a large slope, upon which I would like to plant Liriope spicata. I don't want to hand sow 500 plants. Is it possible to order Liriope Spicata seed in bulk?

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