Ophiopogon japonicus

Ophiopogon japonicus (Mondo grass, Fountain plant, monkey grass; ("dragon's beard") or ジャノヒゲ ja-no-hige ("snake's beard")) is a species of Ophiopogon native to Japan.
==Growth==
It is an evergreen, sod-forming perennial plant. The leaves are linear, 20–40 cm long. The flowers are white to pale lilac, borne in a short raceme on a 5–10 cm stem. The fruit is a blue berry 5 mm diameter.Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan ISBN 0-333-47494-5.
==Characteristics==
It is also grown as an ornamental plant, providing an excellent groundcover. Several cultivars have been selected, including 'Albus' (white flowers), 'Compactus' and 'Kyoto Dwarf' (dwarf forms, not over 4–5 cm tall), and 'Silver Mist' (variegated, with white-striped leaves). It is often sold as a decorative plant for freshwater aquaria, but because it is not a true aquatic plant, it may flourish for a few months and then die. While hardy to temperatures of about -20 °C when dormant in winter outdoors in normal soil, when kept fully submerged it requires water temperatures of 18-25 °C. It grows well in full sun or partial shade. Propagation is from side shoots.Hiscock, P. (2003). Encyclopedia of Aquarium Plants. Interpret Press.
 
==See also==
Liriope muscari - also commonly called monkey grass
==References==