How to identify Big blue lilyturf (Liriope muscari)

How to identify Big blue lilyturf (Liriope muscari)

Big blue lilyturf, also known as Border grass, Lilyturf

Big blue lilyturf forms a lush perennial clump with linear, arching, dark green leaves roughly 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide and 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 cm) in height. It showcases a striking display of purple, spike-like flowers reaching 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) tall, typically blooming from late summer to early fall. Post-bloom, it bears small, round, shiny black berries through the winter. The plant's roots are notably fleshy and tuberous, contributing to its hardy and robust nature.

Lifespan: Perennial, Annual

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Big blue lilyturf

Linear-ligulate leaves, dark green, 1 inch wide, 1-1.5 feet long.

Purple, densely clustered flowers on 6-8 inch spike-like raceme.

Small, spherical fruit, transitions from green to shiny black.

Acaulescent stems emerge from fleshy rhizome, grass-like appearance.

Shiny black berries post-bloom, distinctive of the fruiting phase.

Detailed Traits of Big blue lilyturf

Leaf Features

The leaves of big blue lilyturf are narrow and grass-like, characterized by their linear-ligulate shape. They measure approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) in width and range from 1 to 1.5 feet (30 to 45 cm) in length. The leaves exhibit a dark green color, adding a lush appearance to the plant. They have a smooth texture with a parallel vein pattern running throughout the length, enhancing their distinctive form.

Leaf Arrangement

Fascicled

Leaf Texture

Coriaceous

Leaf Margin

Entire

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Flower Features

The flowers of big blue lilyturf are small, purple, and densely clustered. Each flower has six parts and is arranged on an elongated, spike-like raceme that measures 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) with a congested rachis. These flowers bloom in late summer, typically from August to September, creating a striking display. The arrangement and vibrant color are key features for identification.

Learn About the Flower Glossary

Stem Features

The stems of big blue lilyturf are acaulescent, meaning they lack a prominent stem above the ground level. Instead, the leaves and flower spikes emerge directly from an underground rhizome. The texture is smooth, and the color is typically green. The stems are relatively thin and do not exhibit significant branching. This characteristic results in a grass-like appearance with tufts of foliage emerging from the base, crucial for identifying the plant.

Learn About the Stem Glossary

Fruit Features

The fruit of big blue lilyturf is characterized by its small, spherical shape with a diameter of approximately 1/3 inch (about 8 mm). Initially, these globose berries showcase a bright green hue, gradually transitioning to a shiny black as they reach maturity. The glossy texture of the ripe fruit, along with its distinctive color change, are noteworthy features aiding in its identification. These shiny black berries are a visual marker of the fruiting phase of big blue lilyturf.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

A Botanist in Your Pocket

Scan QR code to download

More Plants You May Like and How to Identify Them

Cape jasmine

Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.

Golden pothos

The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.

Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.

Pepper

The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.

Swiss cheese plant

The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.

Bigleaf hydrangea

The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.

Big blue lilyturf and Their Similar Plants

Creeping lilyturf vs. Big blue lilyturf: What's The Difference?

Creeping lilyturf (Liriope spicata) is an herbaceous flowering plant native to East Asia. It is commonly used in landscaping for ground cover. Blackish berries develop on this plant in fall.

Big blue lilyturf 'Monroe White' vs. Big blue lilyturf: What's The Difference?

Unlike its parent plant plant, Lilyturf, which has lilac flowers, the big blue lilyturf 'Monroe White' cultivar was cultivated to have white flowers. Thanks to its long, narrow dark green leaves, showy spikes of white flowers, and clump-forming growth habit, this cultivar has become a popular garden plant.

Big blue lilyturf 'Big Blue' vs. Big blue lilyturf: What's The Difference?

A cultivar of Lilyturf, also known as monkey grass, big blue lilyturf 'Big Blue' is named for the small, lilac-colored blossoms that appear in late summer, followed in winter by round, shiny black berries. The appearance of its flowers are surprising given this cultivar's name, 'Big Blue'! Its appealing appearance and low care requirements make it a popular lawn substitute.

Identify Big blue lilyturf easily and quickly

We're also capable of identifying over 12,000 types of plants, flowers, succulents, and trees in your surroundings.

Identify a Plant Online

Key Facts About Big blue lilyturf

Attributes of Big blue lilyturf

Lifespan

Perennial, Annual

Plant Type

Herb

Plant Height

30 cm to 45 cm

Spread

30 cm

Leaf Color

Green

White

Yellow

Flower Size

3 mm to 4 mm

Flower Color

Purple

White

Blue

Lavender

Violet

Fruit Color

Black

Blue

Stem Color

Green

Black

Purple

Leaf type

Evergreen

Identify plants with a snap

Instantly identify plants with AI: Snap a photo, and get accurate results within seconds.

Download the App for Free

Scientific Classification of Big blue lilyturf

Phylum

Class

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Big blue lilyturf (Liriope muscari)

Learn More About the Big blue lilyturf

Distribution Map of Big blue lilyturf

Big blue lilyturf is native to East Asia, where it grows in forests, scrub areas, and along slopes. This plant is planted in temperate areas as an ornamental. It has escaped cultivation in the southeastern United States, South Africa, and Belgium, where it is listed as invasive.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Big blue lilyturf

A Comprehensive Guide to Big blue lilyturf How to Grow and Care for Big blue lilyturf