About Ophiopogon planiscapus Nakai
Ophiopogon planiscapus Nakai is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae. It is a small evergreen perennial that grows to 20 cm (8 inches) tall and 30 cm (12 inches) wide. It grows from short rhizomes, producing tufts of grasslike leaves. Purple or white flowers emerge in racemes held on short stems above the leaves. This species is native to Japan, where it grows on open and forested slopes. In gardening, the cultivar 'Kokuryu', commonly called black mondo, is grown as groundcover or as underplanting for larger shrubs. Its leaves shift from green to dark purple, appearing black, and can reach 8 inches (20 cm) tall and 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm) wide. After producing pale lilac flowers, it forms black berries. This cultivar has several alternative names: 'Black Dragon', 'Nigra', and 'Nigrescens', and it has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Two additional variegated cultivars of this species exist: 'Little Tabby' and 'Silver Ribbon'. Both have green leaves with white borders along their edges.
