Ophiopogon japonicus: Difference between revisions
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==Cultivation== |
==Cultivation== |
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It is grown as an [[ornamental plant]], providing excellent [[groundcover]]. Several [[cultivar]]s have been selected, including 'Albus' (white flowers), 'Compactus' and 'Kyoto Dwarf' (dwarf forms, not over 4–5 cm tall), and 'Silver Mist' (variegated, with white-striped leaves). It is often sold as a decorative plant for freshwater [[aquarium|aquaria]], but because it is not a true [[aquatic plant]], it can live for a few months underwater before it dies. While hardy to temperatures of about –{{Nbsp}}20 |
It is grown as an [[ornamental plant]], providing excellent [[groundcover]]. Several [[cultivar]]s have been selected, including 'Albus' (white flowers), 'Compactus' and 'Kyoto Dwarf' (dwarf forms, not over 4–5 cm tall), and 'Silver Mist' (variegated, with white-striped leaves). It is often sold as a decorative plant for freshwater [[aquarium|aquaria]], but because it is not a true [[aquatic plant]], it can live for a few months underwater before it dies. While hardy to temperatures of about –{{Nbsp}}20°C when dormant in winter outdoors in normal soil, when kept fully submerged, it requires water temperatures of 18–25°C. It grows well in full sun or partial shade. Propagation is from side shoots.<ref name=rhs/><ref>Hiscock, P. (2003). ''Encyclopedia of Aquarium Plants''. Interpret Press.</ref> |
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==Traditional uses== |
==Traditional uses== |
Revision as of 22:17, 10 November 2020
Ophiopogon japonicus | |
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Fruit, close-up | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Order: | Asparagales |
Family: | Asparagaceae |
Subfamily: | Nolinoideae |
Genus: | Ophiopogon |
Species: | O. japonicus
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Binomial name | |
Ophiopogon japonicus |
Ophiopogon japonicus (dwarf lilyturf,[1] mondograss, fountainplant, monkeygrass; Template:Lang-ja ryu-no-hige ("dragon's beard") or ジャノヒゲ ja-no-hige ("snake's beard") is a species of Ophiopogon native to China, India, Japan, and Vietnam.
Description
It is an evergreen, sod-forming perennial plant. The leaves are linear, 20–40 cm long. The flowers are white through pale lilac, borne in a short raceme on a 5- to 1-cm stem. The fruit is a blue berry, 5 mm in diameter.[2] Underground, this species has large stolons with tuberous roots.[3]
Cultivation
It is grown as an ornamental plant, providing excellent groundcover. Several cultivars have been selected, including 'Albus' (white flowers), 'Compactus' and 'Kyoto Dwarf' (dwarf forms, not over 4–5 cm tall), and 'Silver Mist' (variegated, with white-striped leaves). It is often sold as a decorative plant for freshwater aquaria, but because it is not a true aquatic plant, it can live for a few months underwater before it dies. While hardy to temperatures of about – 20°C when dormant in winter outdoors in normal soil, when kept fully submerged, it requires water temperatures of 18–25°C. It grows well in full sun or partial shade. Propagation is from side shoots.[2][4]
Traditional uses
In traditional Chinese medicine, Ophiopogon japonicus plants as well as tubers are known as mai men dong (Chinese: 麥門冬). Tubers are used as the cardinal herb for yin deficiency. According to the "Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica", the herb is sweet, slightly bitter and slightly cold, enters the heart, lung, and stomach channels and nourishes the yin of the stomach, spleen, heart, and lungs and clears heat and quiets irritability. Liriope spicata is used as a substitute.[5]
Gallery
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Habit, in fruit
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Ornamentation
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Brush
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Silver Dragon
References
- ^ NRCS. "Ophiopogon japonicus". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 23 July 2015.
- ^ a b Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan ISBN 0-333-47494-5.
- ^ Brown, D., (1995) "The Royal Horticultural Society encyclopedia of herbs and their uses". ISBN 1-4053-0059-0
- ^ Hiscock, P. (2003). Encyclopedia of Aquarium Plants. Interpret Press.
- ^ Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica Third Edition by Daniel Bensky, Steven Clavey, Erich Stoger and Andrew Gamble. Eastland Press, 2004