creeping lilyturf

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• creeping liriope
• Creeping Lilyturf

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Liriope graminifolia var. koreana
• Ophiopogon tawadae
• Ophiopogon spicatus var. koreanus
• Ophiopogon spicatus var. confusus
• Ophiopogon spicatus var. longipes
• Ophiopogon fauriei
• Ophiopogon koreanus
• Mondo fauriei
• Mondo koreanum
• Liriope koreana
• Liriope spicata var. humilis
• Liriope spicata f. koreana
• Liriope spicata var. prolifera
• Liriope tawadae

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asparagales, it is classified under the family Asparagaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Liriope.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning across parts of Europe and several regions in Asia. In Europe, its presence is specifically noted within the country of Italy. The species is also widely distributed throughout China, covering diverse climatic zones. Specifically, it can be found in the North-Central, South-Central, and Southeast regions of China. Additionally, the plant's range extends to the island province of Hainan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Liropis spicata is defined by its broad adaptability across diverse topographical gradients, thriving in habitats that span a significant altitudinal spectrum. This species is commonly found at elevations ranging from a minimum of 50 m AMSL to a maximum of 1400 m AMSL, demonstrating a robust capacity to inhabit both lowland and mid-montane environments. With an average elevational range of approximately 725 m AMSL, the plant occupies a specific ecological niche that likely balances varying temperature regimes and moisture availability found within these mid-level strata. This wide vertical distribution suggests that Liropis spicata can tolerate a variety of microclimates, allowing it to persist in diverse landscape configurations across its natural range.

Elevational range max:

1400 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

725 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

50 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Liropis spicata is characterized by its existence as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a stable presence within its habitat. As a geophyte, its survival strategy relies on underground storage organs, which enable it to endure unfavorable environmental conditions and facilitate regrowth during favorable periods. This life form ensures that the plant can effectively manage resource allocation between seasonal vegetative growth and long-term endurance.

Life form :

geophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Liropis spicata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, presenting a soft, fleshy structure rather than a rigid stem. As a self-supporting plant, it does not exhibit any climber, liana, or vine tendencies, maintaining its upright or spreading habit independently. The species functions as an independent organism, showing no parasitic behavior, and is categorized as a terrestrial plant rather than an aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic species. Its physical constitution is entirely non-woody, lacking the lignified tissues found in shrubs or trees, which defines its delicate herbaceous stature.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Liriope spicata is characterized by its efficient C3 photosynthetic pathway, which facilitates carbon fixation under typical temperate or shaded environmental conditions. Its vegetative structure is defined by elongated, linear leaves that exhibit significant morphological variability. The leaves typically maintain a minimum length of 25 cm, with a mean length of approximately 42.5 cm, and can reach a maximum length of up to 60 cm. In terms of lateral dimensions, the leaf width is relatively narrow, ranging from a minimum of 0.4 cm to a maximum of 0.6 cm. These structural dimensions and the underlying metabolic processes allow the plant to optimize light interception and resource management within its ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

60 cm

Leaf length mean:

42.5 cm

Leaf length min:

25 cm

Leaf width max:

0.6 cm

Leaf width min:

0.4 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Liropis spicata is characterized by specific morphological structures and specialized dispersal mechanisms. The plant produces an inflorescence that typically ranges in length from a minimum of 0.06 m to a maximum of 0.15 m. Regarding the movement of its offspring, the species exhibits a complex dispersal syndrome; while it possesses characteristics that can be classified as unspecialized, its primary modes of dispersal are zoochorous, meaning it relies on animals for seed transport, though it also exhibits capacity for anemochorous, autochorous, and hydrochorous dispersal methods.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Inflorescence length max:

0.15 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.06 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Liriope spicata has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Liriope spicata has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Lirioprolioside B, Ophiopogonin A, fructans.

Lirioprolioside B

1. Phytochemistry

Ophiopogonin A

1. Phytochemistry

fructans

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Liriope spicata has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Hypoglycemic, Hypolipidemic.

Hypoglycemic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Journal of natural products

Hypolipidemic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Journal of natural products

Conditions

Liriope spicata has 7 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include anxiety, constipation, depression, fatigue, hypoglycemic.

Anxiety

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Constipation

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Depression

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Fatigue

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hypoglycemic

1. Journal of natural products

Insomnia

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Restlessness

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Liriope spicata has 7 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include crude polysaccharides, water extract, Liriope spicata polysaccharide, polysaccharides (LSP), subterranean parts.

Crude polysaccharides

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Journal of natural products

Water extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Journal of natural products

Liriope spicata polysaccharide

1. Carbohydrate polymers

Polysaccharides (lsp)

1. International journal of biological macromolecules

Subterranean parts

1. Phytochemistry

Tender stem segments with roots

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

Underground organs

1. Phytochemistry