Ophiopogon planiscapus (lilyturf)

Ophiopogon planiscapus is native to central and southern Japan.

Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens' (black lilyturf) with flower buds (Image: Réginald Hulhoven, GNU Free Documentation license)

Overview: An evergreen, clump-forming perennial with dense tufts of leaves growing from short rhizomes (underground stems).

Leaves: Grass-like, strap-shaped, deep green, 30–50 cm long and 4–6 mm wide.

Flowers: Small (6–7 mm long), nodding, bell-shaped, pale purple or white flowers are borne on 20–30 cm long, erect, flattened flower stalks (scapes) in summer.

Fruits: Round, fleshy, dull blue and 3–5 mm wide.

Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’: This cultivar has arching, blackish leaves, 20–30 cm long and small, purplish flowers followed by glossy, blackish fruits.

Olympic rings floral display in front of Kew's Orangery

From April to September 2012 a floral spectacular will be in bloom in front of the Orangery at Kew Gardens to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic Games. This enormous representation of the Olympic rings can even be admired by air passengers flying over the Gardens.

This 50 m display includes pelargoniums (Pelargonium ×hortorum ‘Horizon Red’), French marigolds (Tagetes patula ‘Atom Yellow’) and lobelias (Lobelia erinus ‘Cambridge Blue’). The black ring has been created using black lilyturf (Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’) and the green ring has been planted with apple mint (Mentha suaveolens).

The five interlaced rings designed in 1913 by the founder of the modern Olympic Games Baron Pierre de Coubertin represent the coming together of five continents to embrace the Olympic values: striving for excellence, demonstrating respect and celebrating friendship.

Find out more about the spectacular

Find out more about the Coubertin oak

Lilyturf is a useful plant for providing ground cover and is also planted for erosion control.

The cultivar Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’ is a popular ornamental that is grown for its dense tufts of blackish, grass-like leaves. The Royal Horticultural Society has given Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’ its prestigious Award of Garden Merit.

Lilyturf can be seen growing in the Winter Garden at Wakehurst Place.

Pressed and dried specimens of Ophiopogon planiscapus are held in Kew’s Herbarium, where they are available to researchers by appointment. The details of some other species of Ophiopogon, including some images, can be seen online in Kew’s Herbarium Catalogue.

Search Kew’s science databases for more information on Ophiopogon planiscapus

Royal Horticultural Society - Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’