Snake's Beard, Dwarf lilyturf, Mondo Grass, Monkey Grass, Dwarf Lilyturf
Ophiopogon japonicus
Family: Convallariaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Rounded, Spreading or horizontal.
Ophiopogon japonicus is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year, in flower in August, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil and can grow in water.
Height (m): 0.3
Where it is found
Damp ground in shady places in lowland and foothills. Forests, dense scrub in ravines, moist and shady places on slopes and along streams, cliffs at elevations of 200 - 2800 m in China.
E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Root. A bitterness should be removed according to some reports whilst another says that it is sweet and aromatic. Mucilaginous. The root contains about 1.6% protein, 0.5% fat, 80% carbohydrate, 2.3% ash.
Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.
Medicine
Rating: 3
The root is antitussive, aphrodisiac, expectorant, pectoral, sedative, sialogogue, stomachic and tonic. It is said to have anticancer activity. It is used internally in the treatment of dry coughs, fevers, thirst, dry constipation, insomnia, anxiety and palpitations. It is also frequently used in polyherbal treatments of diabetes mellitus. The roots have an antibacterial action, inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus, E. coli, Bacillus subtilis, B. typhi etc. The roots are harvested in the spring and dried for later use. The plant is antipyretic, antiscrofulatic, antitussive, emollient, expectorant and tonic. Lowers blood pressure. Nodules on the fibrous roots are used as a nutritive tonic in the treatment of TB.
Antipyretic: Treats fevers. See Febrifuge.
Antiscrophulatic: Counteracts scrofula. (TB, especially of the lymph glands)
Antitussive: Prevents or relieves coughing.
Aphrodisiac: Increases the sexual appetite.
Cancer: Used in the treatment of cancer.
Emollient: Softens the skin, causing warmth and moisture.
Expectorant: Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.
Nutritive: A food for convalescents to help restore strength.
Pectoral: Relieves respiratory diseases, a remedy for chest diseases.
Sedative: Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.
Sialagogue: Stimulates the secretion of saliva.
Stomachic: Aids and improves the action of the stomach.
Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.
Other
Rating: 2
Landscape Uses: Border, Container, Ground cover, Massing, Rock garden, Seashore, Specimen, Woodland garden. A good carpeting plant that spreads quite freely, it is commonly planted as a ground cover or as a low-maintenance grass substitute. It is particularly valuable for preventing soil erosion. Plants should be spaced about 45cm apart each way. Special Features:Not North American native, Invasive, Naturalizing, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.
Soil stabilization: Plants that can be grown in places such as sand dunes in order to prevent erosion by wind, water or other agents.
Ground cover: Ground Cover
How it is grown
Prefers a sandy soil. Succeeds in any moderately fertile well-drained soil and also as a submerged aquatic plant, though it does not flower in such a situation. Succeeds in a sunny position if the soil remains moist all year round, otherwise it should be grown in semi-shade. Plants may require winter protection according to one report, whilst another says that they are hardy to about -20°c. Plants only succeed outdoors in the milder areas of the country. This species is cultivated as a medicinal plant in China.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sandy compost in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the cold frame 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.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Ground Cover; Pond; Bog Garden;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 7-11
Growth: Slow
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist, wet, water