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Ophiopogon jaburan 'Vittatus'

Family Name:	Asparagaceae
Synonyms:	Ophiopogon jaburan 'Javanensis', Ophiopogon jaburan 'Variegatus', Ophiopogon jaburan 'Argenteovariegatus'
Common Name:	Variegated Mondo Grass, Jaburan Lilyturf, Variegated Lilyturf, Aztec Grass, White Lilyturf, 沿阶草

Full Sun

Semi Shade

Moderate Water

Ornamental Leaves

Creeper

Herbaceous Plant

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Infraspecific Epithet
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division	Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon)
Plant Growth Form	Creeper, Herbaceous Plant
Lifespan (in Singapore)	Perennial

Mode of Nutrition	Autotrophic
Plant Shape	Compact
Maximum Height	0.3 m to 0.6 m
Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width	0.3 m

Description and Ethnobotany

Others - Plant Morphology	Growth Form: Evergreen, grass-like perennial that forms dense clumps and has rhizomes (horizontal stems that produce new shoots). Foliage: Leaves are linear with an entire leaf margin and a pointed apex. Leaves are not stiff with some bending over and some erect. Older leaves may be more green and less variegated than younger foliage. Flowers: Flowers are bell-shaped. They are arranged in inflorescences known as racemes in which one main axis bears several stalked flowers that are directly connected to it. Fruits: Fruits are oblong to ellipsoid berries (1.3 cm long). Landscaping: This cultivar makes an excellent, long-lasting groundcover or edging. The variegated leaves would also be good for colour accent beds, rock gardens or decorative plant arrangements. It can tolerate shady areas that are prone to short periods of dryness. The lighter colour of the leaves would also make shady areas look less dark. This species is also suitable for high rise balconies where it may experience high winds, heat, lighting that varies from full sun to full shade, and drought due to wind and heat exposure. It produces excellent foliage in the tropical lowlands, but usually does not flower. Flowering occurs in tropical highlands and temperate climates. Cultivation: This cultivar has a moderate growth rate and requires little maintenance. Plant in well-drained, fertile and slightly acidic soil containing organic matter. For groundcovers, plant small clumps 0.2 m apart to cover the area quickly. Water the plants regularly for best growth, but established plants are tolerant of short periods of drought. Feed every month with a 15-15-15 NPK liquid fertilizer. It occasionally produces green side shoots that should be quickly removed, because they will outcompete the variegated ones. Young foliage may be attacked by slugs. Plants grown on a balcony should be rotated by a quarter turn every week for balanced growth. Propagation: Propagate by dividing the clumps of plants. Etymology: The genus name "Ophiopogon" means snake's beard. It is derived from 2 Greek words, "ophis" meaning snake and "pogon" meaning beard. This name is translated from the Japanese name ("riuno fige").

Others - Plant Morphology

Growth Form: Evergreen, grass-like perennial that forms dense clumps and has rhizomes (horizontal stems that produce new shoots). Foliage: Leaves are linear with an entire leaf margin and a pointed apex. Leaves are not stiff with some bending over and some erect. Older leaves may be more green and less variegated than younger foliage. Flowers: Flowers are bell-shaped. They are arranged in inflorescences known as racemes in which one main axis bears several stalked flowers that are directly connected to it. Fruits: Fruits are oblong to ellipsoid berries (1.3 cm long). Landscaping: This cultivar makes an excellent, long-lasting groundcover or edging. The variegated leaves would also be good for colour accent beds, rock gardens or decorative plant arrangements. It can tolerate shady areas that are prone to short periods of dryness. The lighter colour of the leaves would also make shady areas look less dark. This species is also suitable for high rise balconies where it may experience high winds, heat, lighting that varies from full sun to full shade, and drought due to wind and heat exposure. It produces excellent foliage in the tropical lowlands, but usually does not flower. Flowering occurs in tropical highlands and temperate climates. Cultivation: This cultivar has a moderate growth rate and requires little maintenance. Plant in well-drained, fertile and slightly acidic soil containing organic matter. For groundcovers, plant small clumps 0.2 m apart to cover the area quickly. Water the plants regularly for best growth, but established plants are tolerant of short periods of drought. Feed every month with a 15-15-15 NPK liquid fertilizer. It occasionally produces green side shoots that should be quickly removed, because they will outcompete the variegated ones. Young foliage may be attacked by slugs. Plants grown on a balcony should be rotated by a quarter turn every week for balanced growth. Propagation: Propagate by dividing the clumps of plants. Etymology: The genus name "Ophiopogon" means snake's beard. It is derived from 2 Greek words, "ophis" meaning snake and "pogon" meaning beard. This name is translated from the Japanese name ("riuno fige").

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features	Ornamental Foliage
Landscape Uses	Flowerbed / Border, General, Container Planting

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference	Semi-Shade, Full Sun
Water Preference	Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate	Moderate

Rootzone Tolerance	Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils
Maintenance Requirements	Low
Propagation Method	Division
Planting Distance	0

Foliar

Mature Foliage Colour(s)	Cream / Off-White, Green, White
Mature Foliage Texture(s)	Smooth
Foliar Type	Simple / Unifoliate

Foliar Arrangement Along Stem	Rosulate / Rosette
Foliar Shape(s)	Non-Palm Foliage (Linear)
Foliar Venation	Parallel
Foliar Margin	Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip	Acute
Foliar Base	Truncate / Square
Typical Foliar Area	Notophyll ( 20.25cm2 - 45 cm2 )
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio	3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot)

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification	Acaulescent
Root Type	Underground (Fibrous Root)
Specialised Storage Organ(s)	Underground (Rhizome)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower Colour(s)	White
Flower Symmetry	Radial
Individual Flower Shape	Campaulate / Bell-shaped

Inflorescence Type

Raceme

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s)	Blue, Purple
Fruit Classification	Simple Fruit
Fruit Type	Fleshy Fruit , Berry

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID	985
Species ID	2279
Flora Disclaimer	The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.