Liriope (genus)

Lilyturf
Young variegated Liriope spicata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
clade: Angiosperms
clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Nolinoideae
Genus: Liriope
Herb.

Liriope ( /lɪˈr.əp/)[1] is a genus of low, grass-like, flowering plants from East Asia. Some species are often used in landscaping in temperate latitudes. They 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[2]). Like many lilioid monocots, it was once classified with lilies in the family Liliaceae; it was 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 nickname monkey grass or spider grass.

The pronunciation of "Liriope" varies. The expected pronunciation is /ləˈr.əp/ lə-ry-ə-pee,[3] but there are many regional variations. In the southern United States, for example, it may be pronounced /ˈlrɵp/ ly-ro-pee, /lɪərˈ.ɵp/ leer-ry-o-pee, or /ˈlɪəri.p/ leer-ee-ohp.

Cultivation

Liriope muscari is perhaps most widespread in cultivation and is considered appropriate for USDA Hardiness Zones 6-10.[4]

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

References

  1. ^ Sunset Western Garden Book, 1995:606–607
  2. ^ Chase, M.W.; Reveal, J.L. & Fay, M.F. (2009), "A subfamilial classification for the expanded asparagalean families Amaryllidaceae, Asparagaceae and Xanthorrhoeaceae", Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 161 (2): 132–136, doi:10.1111/j.1095-8339.2009.00999.x 
  3. ^ Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition
  4. ^ Hortus III, Liberty Hyde Bailey Hortorium, 1976