Plant · GBIF taxon 2774158
Dwarf Lily-turf
Ophiopogon japonicusAlso known as Mondo Grass, Fountain Plant, Monkey Grass, Dwarf Lilyturf
Dwarf Lily-turf forms dense tufts of dark green, ribbon-like leaves that carpet forest floors and shaded garden beds across East Asia. In midsummer, nodding clusters of delicate pale lilac to white flowers bloom low among the foliage, largely hidden from view. Bright metallic cobalt-blue seeds mature in autumn, providing striking color long after the flowers fade.
EvergreenGroundcoverShade Tolerant
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Photosynthetic
Predators
- Slugs
- Snails
- Deer
ThreatsHabitat loss in native range, invasive competition
HabitatsForest understories, streambanks, shady slopes, urban gardens
Life spanPerennial (10+ years)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderAsparagales
- FamilyAsparagaceae
- GenusOphiopogon
- SpeciesOphiopogon japonicus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Wild berries have toxic look-alikes; never eat based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
- Identification: Look for dark green strap-like leaves and bright electric-blue fruits from autumn through winter.
- Observation: Part the dense leafy foliage to spot the delicate pale lilac blooms during midsummer.
- Cultivation: Plant in well-drained, organic soil under partial to full shade for optimal growth.
Look-Alike (c) scohlendorf, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by scohlendorf · cc-by
Look-Alike no rights reserved, uploaded by 葉子 · cc0
Close Relative (c) M a n u e l, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Image unavailableClose Relative
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.