Himalayan lily turf


Scientific Name

Ophiopogon intermedius D.Don


Other Names

Ban supari (Nepali)


Life Form

Herb


Synonyms

Ophiopogon wallichianus (Kunth) Hook.f.


Family

Asparagaceae



Ban supari (Nepali)
Image by - Saroj Kasaju
Usages

Ornamental - It is used in interiorscapes for groundcover or filler. Medicine - The plant is used as medicine for curing dry tongue and mouth, and constipation.


Native to

Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan


Habitat

Evergreen broad-leaved forests, mixed forests, bamboo forests, scrub, moist and shady places along streams, grassy slopes at altitudes of 700-3000 m asl.


Conservation Status

Not evaluated


More Info

Is drought-resistant and requires minimal care; ideal for low-maintenance gardens.


Plant Description

Grass like plant 10-15 cm tall.

The plants lack woody stems and instead have a basal growth pattern.

Leaves basal, tufted, sessile, grasslike, 15--55(--70) cm × 3--15 mm, 5--9-veined, base attenuate, margin usually serrulate; leaf tufts usually surrounded by brownish, membranous sheaths. Scape (15--)20--50 cm, sometimes slightly flattened and narrowly 2-winged.

Inflorescence a reduced panicle, 5-16 cm, many flowered; bracts subulate, linear, or lanceolate, basal one 1.5-4 cm. Flowers in clusters of 2 or 3 or sometimes solitary; pedicel 4-7 mm, articulate proximally or at middle. Tepals white or purplish, oblong, ovate, or ovate-lanceolate, 4-7 × 2-2.5 mm. Filaments very short; anthers 2-4 mm. Style 3-4 mm.

Seeds ellipsoid.


Phenology

Flowering: May – August
Fruiting: August – October