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Common Name: Lily Turf

General Information

Liriope spicata is a Evergreen Perennial up to 0.30 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - China.

Habitat

Forests, grassy slopes, hillsides and moist places from near sea level to 1800 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.30 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a sandy soil[]. Succeeds in full sun so long as the soil does not dry out in the summer, otherwise it should be grown in partial shade in any moderately fertile well-drained soil[].
There are some named forms selected for their ornamental value[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[].

Edible Uses

The following use is reported for L. graminifolia, but there is a lot of confusion between members of this genus (compare [] and []) and it is quite possible that the root of this species is also used[].

Root - cooked[, , ]. Candied and used medicinally[]. The roots are usually with fusiform with a fleshy, tuberous part near the tip[]. Rich in mucilage, the root also contains about 1.6% protein, 0.5% fat, 80% carbohydrate and 2.3% ash[].

Medicinal

The root is aphrodisiac, pectoral and stimulant[].

Other Uses

A good drought tolerant evergreen ground cover plant[]. Plants should be spaced about 45cm apart each way, they can be invasive though[].
Plants have been grown indoors in pots in order to help remove toxins from the atmosphere. It is especially good at removing ammonia[].

Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing it in a cold frame or greenhouse as soon as the seed is ripe if possible, if not then sowing the stored seed in early spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse 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. Very easy, the larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.