Dwarf Lilyturf

Ophiopogon japonicus, the dwarf lilyturf, is an evergreen, sod-forming perennial native to China, India, Japan, Nepal and Vietnam. Its linear leaves are 20 to 40 centimetres long, its flowers are white to pale lilac, and its fruit is a blue berry about 5 millimetres across. Underground it makes large stolons bearing tuberous roots. It is widely grown as an ornamental groundcover and is sold as a decorative plant for freshwater aquaria, although it is not a true aquatic and lasts only a few months fully submerged. In traditional Chinese medicine both the plant and its tubers are called mai men dong, and the tubers are used as the cardinal herb for yin deficiency. The Japanese names are ryū-no-hige, dragon's beard, and ja-no-hige, snake's beard.