Liriope muscari Lilyturf PFAF Plant Database

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

Common Name

Lilyturf

Family

Convallariaceae

Synonyms

L. platyphylla.

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

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Liriope muscari is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a slow rate.
It is hardy to zone 8. It is in leaf 12-Jan It is in flower from Sep to October. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs)

Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.


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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].

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].

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].

Cultivation details

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].

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.

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Expert comment

Author
(Decne.)L.H.Bailey.

Botanical References
200266

Links / References

[K] Ken Fern Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[1]F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956

Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[61]Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.

Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.

[105]Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World.

The most comprehensive guide to edible plants I've come across. Only the briefest entry for each species, though, and some of the entries are more than a little dubious. Not for the casual reader.

[177]Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption.

An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of latin names with a brief list of edible parts.

[190]Chatto. B. The Dry Garden.

A good list of drought resistant plants with details on how to grow them.

[197]Royal Horticultural Society. Ground Cover Plants.

A handy little booklet from the R.H.S.

[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[208]Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover

An excellent detailled book on the subject, very comprehensive.

[233]Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants

A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.

[266] Flora of China

On-line version of the Flora - an excellent resource giving basic info on habitat and some uses.

[279] Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea

An excellent book with terse details about the medicinal uses of the plants with references to scientific trials. All plants are described, illustrated and brief details of habitats given.

Readers comment

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