medicinal herbs
Lily Turf
Liriope spicata

Herb: Lily Turf

Latin name: Liriope spicata

Family: Convallariaceae

Medicinal use of Lily Turf:

The root is aphrodisiac, pectoral and stimulant.

Description of the plant:

Plant:

Evergreen
Perennial

Height:

30 cm
(11 ³/₄ inch)

Flowering:

August to
September

Habitat of the herb:

Forests, grassy slopes, hillsides and moist places from near sea level to 1800 metres.

Edible parts of Lily Turf:

The following use is reported for L. graminifolia, but there is a lot of confusion between members of this genus (compare and ) and it is quite possible that the root of this species is also used. Root - cooked. Candied and used medicinally. The roots are usually with fusiform with a fleshy, tuberous part near the tip. Rich in mucilage, the root also contains about 1.6% protein, 0.5% fat, 80% carbohydrate and 2.3% ash.

Other uses of the herb:

A good drought tolerant evergreen ground cover plant. Plants should be spaced about 45cm apart each way, they can be invasive though. Plants have been grown indoors in pots in order to help remove toxins from the atmosphere. It is especially good at removing ammonia.

Propagation of Lily Turf:

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing it in a cold frame or greenhouse as soon as the seed is ripe if possible, if not then sowing the stored seed in early spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring. Very easy, the larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Cultivation of the herb: