Ophiopogon japonicus
1362963
217339457
2008-06-05T16:31:25Z
74.249.63.234
{{Asparagales-stub}}
{{Taxobox
| name = ''Ophiopogon japonicus''
| image = Ophiopogon japonicus2.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = Fruit, close-up
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| subregnum = [[Tracheobionta]]
| superdivisio = [[Spermatophyta]]
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Liliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Asparagales]]
| familia = [[Ruscaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Ophiopogon]]''
| species = '''''O. japonicus'''''
| binomial = ''Ophiopogon japonicus''
| binomial_authority = ([[Carolus Linnaeus the Younger|L.f.]]) [[John Bellenden Ker Gawler|Ker Gawl.]]
}}
'''''Ophiopogon japonicus''''' ('''Mondo grass''', '''Fountain plant''', '''monkey grass'''; [[Japanese language|Japanese]]: ''ryu-no-hige'' ("dragon's beard") or ''ja-no-hige'' ("snake's beard")) is a species of ''[[Ophiopogon]]'' native to [[Japan]].
It is an [[evergreen]], sod-forming [[perennial plant]]. The [[leaf|leaves]] are linear, 20-40 cm long. The [[flower]]s 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.<ref name=rhs>Huxley, A., ed. (1992). ''New RHS Dictionary of Gardening''. Macmillan ISBN 0-333-47494-5.</ref>
In [[Chinese medicine]] ''Ophiopogon japonicus'' [[tuber]], known as mai men dong, is the cardinal herb for [[yin]] deficiency. According to the Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica, the herb is sweet, slightly bitter and slightly cold, enters the Heart, Lung and Stomach channels and nourishes the yin of the Stomach, Spleen, Heart and Lungs and clears heat and quiets irritability. It is used for hacking dry coughs, dry tongue and mouth and constipation. [[Liriope (genus)]] is used as a substitute.<ref>Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica Third Edition by Daniel Bensky, Steven Clavey, Erich Stoger and Andrew Gamble. Eastland Press, 2004</ref>
It is also grown as an [[ornamental plant]]. Several [[cultivar]]s have been selected, including 'Albus' (white flowers), 'Compactus' and 'Kyoto Dwarf' (dwarf forms, not over 4-5 cm tall), and 'Silver Dragon' (variegated, with white-striped leaves). It is often sold as a decorative plant for freshwater [[aquarium|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.<ref name=rhs/><ref>Hiscock, P. (2003). ''Encyclopedia of Aquarium Plants''. Interpret Press.</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{commons|Ophiopogon japonicus}}
<gallery>
Image:Ophiopogon japonicus1.jpg|Habit, in fruit
Image:Monkey Grass.JPG
</gallery>
[[Category:Ruscaceae]]
[[Category:Flora of Japan]]
[[fr:Muguet du Japon]]
[[ja:ジャノヒゲ]]
[[pt:Ophiopogon japonicus]]
[[vi:Mạch môn]]