Ophiopogon planiscapus
{{Short description|Species of grass}}
{{Speciesbox
|genus = Ophiopogon
|species = planiscapus
|image = Ophiopogon-planiscapus-Nigr.jpg
|authority = Nakai
}}
Ophiopogon planiscapus is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae. It is a small evergreen perennial growing to {{convert|20|cm|0|abbr=on}} tall by {{convert|30|cm|0|abbr=on}}wide.{{cite book|title=RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants|year=2008|publisher=Dorling Kindersley|location=United Kingdom|isbn=978-1405332965|pages=1136}} It grows from short rhizomes, and bears tufts of grasslike leaves, from which purple or white flowers emerge in racemes held on short stems above the leaves. It is native to Japan, where it grows on open and forested slopes.European Garden Flora vol. 1, p. 266When Perennials Bloom: An Almanac for Planning and Planting by Tomasz Aniśko, p. 342
Garden use
The cultivar 'Kokuryu' (black mondo) is grown as groundcover, or as underplanting for larger shrubs. Its leaves turn from green to dark purple (black) and can grow to {{cvt|8|in|cm|abbr=on}} tall and {{cvt|1/4|in|cm|abbr=on}} wide. The pale lilac flowers are followed by black berries. It is also known as 'Black Dragon', 'Nigra' or 'Nigrescens'.{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/search-results?query=Ophiopogon%20planiscapus | title = Ohiopogon planiscapus | publisher = RHS | access-date = 23 February 2022}} It has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.{{cite web | title = RHS Plant Selector - Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Kokuryu' |url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/377774/Ophiopogon-planiscapus-Kokuryu/Details | access-date = 23 February 2022}}
There are also two variegated forms called 'Little Tabby' and 'Silver Ribbon'. These are green with white borders around the leaves.{{Cite book | url = https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780881928877 | title = When perennials bloom : an almanac for planning and planting | last=Aniśko |first=Tomasz|date=2008|publisher=Timber Press|isbn=9780881928877|location=Portland|oclc=191846797|url-access=registration}}
Propagation
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Ophiopogon planiscapus}}
- [http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/Plant.asp?code=E400 Gardening help]
- [https://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/588.shtml BBC Gardening]
{{Taxonbar|from=Q7097961}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ophiopogon Planiscapus}}