Creeping Lily-turf, Black leek, Native winter wheat
Liriope spicata

Family: Asparagaceae

What it is like

A herb. The roots have fleshy tubers near the tip. It has creeping stolons or runners. These are slender. The leaves are narrow. They are 25-60 cm long by 4-8 mm wide. They have 5 veins. The base is surrounded by many sheaths. The flowering stalk is 6-15 cm long and has many flowers. They are in clusters of 3-5. The flowers are bluish. The seeds are almost round and 5 mm across.

There are 5 or 6 Liriope species. The tubers are also used in medicine. Chemical composition: Protein = 1.59%. Fat = 0.52%. Carbohydrate = 80.1%. Ash = 2.26%. Also put in the family Convallariaceae.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in forests and grassy slopes in moist places from near sea level to 1800 m altitude in China. It suits hardiness zones 5-10. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Cambodia, China (country/location of origin), Hawaii, Indochina, Japan (country/location of origin), Korea, Laos, Pacific, SE Asia, Taiwan, USA, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The tuber is eaten.

It is widely cultivated in China for its tubers.

Edible parts

Root, tuber

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Shan mai dong, Tu maidong, Dwarf lily turf

Synonyms

Convallaria spicata Thunb.; Liriope spicata var. humilis F.Z.Li; Liriope spicata f. koreana (Palibin)H.Hara; Liriope spicata var. prolifera Y.T.Ma; Mondo fauriei (H.Leveille & Vaniot)Farwell; Ophiopogon fauriei H.Leveille & Vaniot; Ophiopogon spicatus (Thunb.)Ker Gawler; Ophiopogon spicatus var. koreanus Palibin;