Liriope muscari (Decne.) L.H. Bailey

Big Blue Lily Turf; Monkey Grass

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Monkey Grass is an introduced evergreen grass-like groundcover in the Ruscus family (Ruscaceae). It is native to China, Japan, and Taiwan. Monkey Grass is commonly cultivated and can be found as an escape throughout Alabama. Monkey Grass grows on creek banks, in forests, in urban woodlands, and on roadsides. Plants are clump-forming from short rhizomes. The roots may have fleshy swollen tuberous-like tips. Stolons are absent. Leaves are basal, tufted, sessile, grass-like, linear, erect, and 9--11-veined. Flowers are produced in clusters of 4-8 on an erect scape that is usually equal to or slightly longer than the erect leaves. Each flower has 6 purplish or lilac tepals. The fruit is berry-like and dark purple to black in color. Monkey Grass is commonly cultivated and is rapidly escaping to natural habitats where it can form a solid groundcover, excluding native species. The fruit are consumed by birds which then spread the seed. Once established it is difficult to eradicate.—A. Diamond.

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Not Native

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