Liriope (genus)
| lilyturf | |
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| File:LyriopeSpicata wb.jpg | |
| Young variegated Liriope spicata | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asparagaceae |
| Subfamily: | Nolinoideae |
| Genus: | Liriope Herb. |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Globeria Raf. |
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Liriope /lɪˈraɪ.əpiː/[2] is a genus of low, grass-like, flowering plants from East Asia and Southeast Asia.[1] [3]
Some species are often used in landscaping in temperate latitudes. It may be called lilyturf in North America although neither a true grass (family Poaceae) nor lily (genus Lilium). In the APG III classification system, it is placed in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Nolinoideae (formerly the family Ruscaceae[4]). Like many lilioid monocots, it was once classified with lilies in the family Liliaceae; it has also been placed in Convallariaceae. The genus was named for Liriope in Greek mythology.
Contents
Background
Liriope are usually used in the garden for their evergreen foliage as a groundcover. Some species, e.g., L. spicata, grow aggressively in the right conditions, spreading by runners; hence their nickname, "creeping lilyturf".
In the southeastern United States Liriope is sometimes referred to by the common name monkey grass or spider grass.
The pronunciation of "Liriope" varies. A common pronunciation is /ləˈraɪ.əpiː/ lə-RY-ə-pee,[5] but there are many regional variations. In the southern United States, for example, it may be pronounced /ˈlaɪroʊpiː/ LY-ro-pee, /lɪərˈaɪ.oʊpiː/ leer-RY-o-pee, or /ˈlɪəri.oʊp/ LEER-ee-ohp.
Cultivation
Liriope muscari is perhaps most widespread in cultivation and is considered appropriate for USDA Hardiness Zones 6-10.[6]
Spikes of tiny violet-blue flowers appear in late summer, and will be more prolific with a dose or two of fertilizer early in the season. A number of variegated varieties are now available to add golden or silver flashes of color to shady situations.
Species
- Liriope graminifolia (L.) Baker - Philippines; widespread across much of China
- Liriope kansuensis (Batalin) C.H.Wright - Sichuan, Gansu
- Liriope longipedicellata F.T.Wang & Tang - Sichuan
- Liriope minor (Maxim.) Makino - Japan, Ryukyu Islands, widespread across much of China
- Liriope muscari (Decne.) L.H.Bailey - Japan, Korea, widespread across much of China
- Liriope spicata Lour. - Japan, Ryukyu Islands, Korea, widespread across much of China
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
- ↑ Sunset Western Garden Book, 1995:606–607
- ↑ Flora of China, Vol. 24 Page 250, 山麦冬属 shan mai dong shu, Liriope Loureiro, Fl. Cochinch. 1: 190, 200. 1790.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition
- ↑ Hortus III, Liberty Hyde Bailey Hortorium, 1976
