Liriope spicata

[Aliases] Liriope spicata, lilyturf, yuzilan

[Family and genus] Liliaceae, Liriope

Native to China, also distributed in Japan. Prefers a warm, humid climate and is not choosy about soil, but grows most luxuriantly in fertile, moisture-rich sandy loam.

Plant height 30cm, clump-forming. Rhizome short and thick, fibrous root system, with the middle of the fibrous roots swelling into spindle-shaped fleshy tuberous roots. Stolons extend flat along the ground. Leaves fine and linear, slightly leathery; raceme about 12cm long, flowers in 5-9 whorls, each whorl with 2-4 flowers, pedicels short and upright; flowers pale purple or nearly white. Berries round, dark brown or blue-black when ripe. Flowering period June-July, fruit ripening period August-October.

Propagated by sowing or division, seedlings emerge in about 10 days, blooming the following year. Divide every 2-3 years, in March-April. Should be planted in a well-ventilated semi-shaded environment, keeping the soil moist at all times. Potted lilyturf should be moved under a shade canopy in summer and into a cold frame or cool room in winter.

Because Liriope spicata is low-growing and its leaves stay green for a long period, it can be used in gardens as ground cover at the edges of rocks, rockeries and steps, and is also suitable as a border material for flower beds, flower borders, tree beds and flower paths, or for potted display.

Commonly cultivated species in the same genus include Liriope graminifolia and Liriope platyphylla