Fauna
Plant · GBIF taxon 2774158

Dwarf Lily-turf

Ophiopogon japonicus

Also 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
Dwarf Lily-turf reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) raibums, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by raibums · cc-by
—observations
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
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)
Classification
  1. OrderAsparagales
  2. FamilyAsparagaceae
  3. GenusOphiopogon
  4. SpeciesOphiopogon japonicus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. 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.
Related species
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