big blue lilyturf

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Liriope
• monkey grass
• Big blue lilyturf'

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ophiopogon spicatus var. communis
• Ophiopogon spicatus var. kunthianus
• Liriope muscari var. variegata
• Ophiopogon spicatus var. communis
• Liriope graminifolia var. densiflora
• Liriope spicata var. latifolia
• Liriope muscari f. variegata
• Liriope spicata var. densiflora
• Liriope muscari f. latifolia
• Liriope muscari var. communis
• Liriope yingdeensis
• Liriope graminifolia var. latifolia
• Liriope platyphylla
• Liriope gigantea
• Liriope graminifolia var. variegata
• Ophiopogon muscari
• Liriope platyphylla f. variegata
• Liriope graminifolia var. praealba
• Liriope graminifolia var. communis
• Liriope muscari f. praealba
• Liriope muscari f. albiflora
• Liriope graminifolia var. albiflora
• Liriope platyphylla f. albiflora

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asparagales, it is a member of the family Asparagaceae. Its scientific classification is completed by its placement in the genus Liriope.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions of East Asia. Within China, it can be found spanning from the South-Central regions to the North-Central territories. Its presence is also well-established throughout the Southeast part of China. Moving beyond the mainland, the species is naturally distributed across the islands of Japan. Finally, its geographical range extends to include the Korean Peninsula.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Liropis muscari is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche through multiple growing seasons. As a geophyte, the plant relies on specialized underground storage organs to survive periods of dormancy and environmental stress, allowing it to regenerate effectively each year. This life strategy enables it to persist in various habitats, utilizing its stored energy to support seasonal vegetative growth and reproductive cycles.

Life form :

geophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Liriope muscari is characterized by a low-growing, non-woody growth habit, typically functioning as a herbaceous forb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not exhibit climbing tendencies, such as liana or vine behaviors, and is categorized as an independent organism rather than a parasite. This terrestrial species lacks any epiphytic nature, growing directly in soil rather than on other plants. In terms of stature, it maintains a relatively small profile with a mean plant height of approximately 0.15 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

0.15 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Liriope muscari is characterized by a robust metabolic framework adapted for shade tolerance and consistent growth in temperate environments. A defining feature of its metabolic strategy is its photosynthetic pathway, which follows the C3 mechanism; this pathway involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide by the enzyme RuBisCO during the Calvin cycle, making it highly efficient in moist, shaded, or partially shaded habitats where transpiration rates can be managed. The plant exhibits significant physiological resilience through its extensive rhizomatous root system, which facilitates efficient nutrient uptake and water storage, supporting its perennial nature. Furthermore, its leaf structure is optimized for light interception in low-light conditions, maintaining steady photosynthetic rates even under dense canopy cover. This combination of C3 photosynthesis and specialized subterranean storage allows the plant to maintain physiological stability and recover quickly from seasonal environmental fluctuations.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Liriope muscari has 2 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, fruit.

Root

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Nutrients
3. Biology
4. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Fruit

1. International journal of systematic and evolutionary microbiology

Chemicals

Liriope muscari has 21 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Liriopeoside A, 1beta,6beta-dihydroxy-cis-eudesm-3-ene-6-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 3,5-Dimethoxytoluene, As, BETA-SITOSTEROL.

Liriopeoside A

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of natural products

1beta,6beta-dihydroxy-cis-eudesm-3-ene-6-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside

1. Journal of natural products

3,5-Dimethoxytoluene

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

As

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

CAR

1. BMC ecology

CD

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

CR

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

CU

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

D-39

1. Oncotarget

Activities

Liriope muscari has 1 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Immunomodulator.

Immunomodulator

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Liriope muscari has 9 reported preparations identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include EtOH extract, Liriope muscari polysaccharide, Radix Liriopes, essential oil, fermented fruit.

Etoh extract

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Liriope muscari polysaccharide

1. Carbohydrate polymers

Radix liriopes

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Essential oil

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Fermented fruit

1. International journal of systematic and evolutionary microbiology

Small molecule inhibitor d-39

1. Oncotarget

Tubers

1. Journal of natural products

Water extract

1. The American journal of Chinese medicine

Water-soluble extract

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin