Ophiopogon
(from ophis, a serpent, and pogon, a beard; a translation of the native Japanese name). Snake's Beard. SYNS. Chloopsis, Flueggia (sometimes spelt Fluggea), Slateria. ORD. Haemodoraceae. A small genus (four species) of hardy or half-hardy, perennial herbs, found in the East Indies and Eastern Asia as far as Japan. Flowers numerous, simply racemose; perianth white, or tinged with lilac, the tube obconical and adnate to the ovary; segments six; pedicels articulated, often aggregated. Leaves usually sessile, linear. The species are interesting and curious rather than pretty. They thrive best in a sandy soil. Propagated by divisions, in spring.
O. Jaburan (Jaburan). fl., perianth white, or tinged with lilac; raceme sub-second, rather dense, 3in. to 6in. long; scape 6in. to 2ft. long. July. l. 1 1/2ft. to 3ft. long, 1/2in. broad, sometimes variegated with white. Japan, 1830. Habit similar to O. japonicus, but more robust. (L. B. C. 1826.) O. J. variegatus (variegated).* fl. deep violet-blue, freely produced in dense spikes. Berries deep blue, about the size of currants. l. linear-lanceolate, striped with green and creamy-white. Japan, 1863.
O. japonicus (Japanese).* fl., perianth white; raceme loose, few-flowered, sub-second, 2in. to 3in. long; scape 2in. to 4in. long, naked, angular. June. l. radical, erect, narrow-linear, nearly, or quite, 1ft. long, about 1/8in. broad. Japan, 1784. (B. M. 1063.) O. j. intermedius (intermediate).* fl. lilac, small, numerous; raceme loose, 2in. to 5in. long. Late summer and autumn. l. linear, 1/4in. broad. h. 1 1/2ft. China, &c., 1821. SYN. O. spicatus (of Don). The form known as argenteo-marginatus has its leaves edged with white; the flowers also are pure white.
O. spicatus (spike-flowered), of Don. A synonym of O. japonicus intermedius. O. spicatus (spike-flowered), of Ker. A synonym of Liriope graminifolia.