Species of Liriope Cultivated in the Southeastern United States

Abstract

Species of Liriope Lour. are versatile, evergreen, grass-like perennials used in many landscaping situations. The industry commonly recognizes two species, L. muscari (Decne.) L.H. Bailey and L. spicata Lour. Additional species are poorly known in the green industry, and include misidentified species of Ophiopogon Ker-Gawl. A taxonomic treatment of liriopogons cultivated in the southeastern United States has been in progress for nearly 15 years. Plants bearing the names of L. kansuensis C.H. Wright belonged to the genus Ophiopogon. Plants bearing the name L. graminifolia Baker were misidentified as Ophiopogon sp. or belonged to L. spicata. One nursery had L. maireii, a species name lacking in plant name indices, and was excluded as a species. The names L. muscari and L. platyphylla F.T. Wang & T. Tang linked recently as synonyms are segregated as two distinct species. Six species of Liriope are delineated and quantitatively described, with a taxonomic key to segregation presented. These species include L. exiliflora (L.H. Bailey) H.H. Hume, L. gigantea H.H. Hume, L. minor (Maxim.) Makino, L. muscari, L. platyphylla, and L. spicata.