Plant · GBIF taxon 2774115
Black Mondo Grass
Ophiopogon planiscapusAlso known as Black Lilyturf, Mondo Grass, Ebony Knight Ophiopogon
Black mondo grass forms striking, arching tufts of narrow strap-shaped foliage that famously turns from deep olive green to near jet-black in full sun. In midsummer, nodding pale violet to white bell-shaped blossoms rise on short stalks nestled among the leaves, eventually ripening into glossy, dark purple berry-like seeds. Spreading slowly via underground stolons and rhizomes, this tough evergreen understory perennial carpets shady woodland slopes and modern garden borders alike.
EvergreenOrnamentalShade Tolerant
Licensed reference(c) M a n u e l, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic (photosynthesis)
Predators
- Garden snails
- Slugs
ThreatsSlugs, snails, and crown rot in poorly draining soils
HabitatsTemperate woodland slopes, forest edges, and cultivated gardens
Life span10–20 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderAsparagales
- FamilyAsparagaceae
- GenusOphiopogon
- SpeciesOphiopogon planiscapus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Berries contain saponins toxic to pets if ingested; wild berries have toxic look-alikes, never ingest.
- Why it is dangerous
- Contains steroidal saponins that cause mild to moderate nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea when ingested by pets or children.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognized by ribbon-like black-purple evergreen leaves and shiny, pea-sized blue-black seeds clustered low on stalks.
- What to do
- Plant out of reach of domestic pets, and wear gardening gloves if dividing clumps to prevent mild skin sensitivity.
Responsible observation
- Sun Exposure: Plant in partial to full sun in temperate zones to develop the deepest black foliage color.
- Soil Moisture: Provide well-drained, humus-rich soil to prevent root and crown rot during wet winter months.
- Pet Safety: Keep curious cats and dogs from grazing on the fleshy autumn berries.
Look-alike (c) scohlendorf, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by scohlendorf · cc-by
Frequent Companion Photo by and (c)2006 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man). Location credit to the Chanticleer Garden. / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) raibums, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by raibums · cc-by
Close Relative no rights reserved · cc0
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