Liriope

Liriope muscari

[Aztec Grass on left, Big Blue variety on right]
(Photos by Logan Petrey)

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Taxonomy ₍₁₎

Classification: Angiosperm, monocot
Family: Liliaceae
Common name: Aztec grass, Big Blue or Lily turf (Big Blue variety)
Varieties: Big Blue, Evergreen Giant

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General Information ₍₁₎

Region of Origin: Eastern Asia
USDA Plants Hardiness Zones: 7-11
Growth Habit: Herb

• Size: 1-2 feet
• Deciduous/Evergreen: Evergreen
• Flowering: Summer
• Fruiting: Fall

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Diagnostic Characteristics

Leaves ₍₁₎

• Simple/Compound: Simple
• Shape: Ribbon-like
• Other: Aztec grass has a pale green to yellow coloration; Big Blue has a dark green coloration

[Aztec Grass on left, Big Blue variety on the right]
(Photos by Logan Petrey)

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Flower ₍₁₎

• Color: White (Aztec); Lavender (Big Blue)
• Inflorescence type: Spike

[Aztec Grass on left, Big Blue variety on the right]
(Photos by Jessica Bartek)

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Fruit ₍₁₎

• Fruit type: Berry
• Color: Black or white

(Photo by Logan Petrey)

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Horticultural Information ₍₁₎

• Light: Full sun or shade (Big Blue)
• Maintenance: Low maintenance
• Landscape Uses: Ground cover, borders
• Other: Big Blue variety handles colder weather better than Aztec

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Interesting Facts ₍₁₎

• Liriope is commonly identified as a grass but is actually in the lily family

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References

1) Scheper, J. (2009). Liriope muscari. Retrieved from http://www.floridata.com/ref/l/liri_mus.cfm

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