Research directed by C. Daehler (UH Botany) with funding from the Kaulunani Urban Forestry Program and US Forest Service

Information on Risk Assessments
Original risk assessment

Liriope spicata (Thunb.) Lour.; Ophiopogon spicata, creeping lilyturf, monkey grass

Answer

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated?

y=-3, n=0

n

1.02

Has the species become naturalized where grown?

y=-1, n=-1

y

1.03

Does the species have weedy races?

y=-1, n=-1

n

2.01

Species suited to tropical or subtropical climate(s) (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) – If island is primarily wet habitat, then substitute “wet tropical” for “tropical or subtropical”

See Append 2

1

2.02

Quality of climate match data (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) see appendix 2

1

2.03

Broad climate suitability (environmental versatility)

y=1, n=0

y

2.04

Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates

y=1, n=0

y

2.05

Does the species have a history of repeated introductions outside its natural range? y=-2

?=-1, n=0

y

3.01

Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2), n= question 2.05

y

3.02

Garden/amenity/disturbance weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

3.03

Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

3.04

Environmental weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

3.05

Congeneric weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

y=1, n=0

n

4.02

Allelopathic

y=1, n=0

n

4.03

Parasitic

y=1, n=0

n

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

y=1, n=-1

y

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

n

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

n

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

y=1, n=0

n

4.08

Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems

y=1, n=0

n

4.09

Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle

y=1, n=0

y

4.1

Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone conditions if not a volcanic island)

y=1, n=0

y

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

n

5.01

Aquatic

y=5, n=0

n

5.02

Grass

y=1, n=0

n

5.03

Nitrogen fixing woody plant

y=1, n=0

n

5.04

Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs -- bulbs, corms, or tubers)

y=1, n=0

y

6.01

Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat

y=1, n=0

n

6.02

Produces viable seed.

y=1, n=-1

y

6.03

Hybridizes naturally

y=1, n=-1

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y=1, n=-1

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y=-1, n=0

n

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y=1, n=-1

y

6.07

Minimum generative time (years) 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, 4+ years = -1

See left

1

7.01

Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants growing in heavily trafficked areas)

y=1, n=-1

n

7.02

Propagules dispersed intentionally by people

y=1, n=-1

y

7.03

Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant

y=1, n=-1

n

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

y=1, n=-1

n

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

y

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

y=1, n=-1

n

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y=1, n=-1

y

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

y=1, n=-1

n

8.02

Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 yr)

y=1, n=-1

n

8.03

Well controlled by herbicides

y=-1, n=1

8.04

Tolerates, or benefits from, mutilation, cultivation, or fire

y=1, n=-1

y

8.05

Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents)

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

7.5

Notes

Source

1.01

no evidence

1.02

"Naturalizing'

Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7.

1.03

no evidence

2.01

(1)Distributional range:
Native: ASIA-TEMPERATE
China: China - Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang
Eastern Asia: Japan - Honshu, Kyushu, Ryukyu Islands, Shikoku; Taiwan
ASIA-TROPICAL
Indo-China: Vietnam
(2)native to China and Japan (3)Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9 [hardiness range does not include tropical]

(1)USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN) [Online Database]. National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland.
URL: http://www.ars-grin.gov/var/apache/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?liriope+spicata (28 January 2004) (2)http://www.hcs.ohio-state.edu/hcs/TMI/Plantlist/li_icata.html (3)http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/groundcover/liriope_spicata.html

2.02

[native range is primarily temperate]

2.03

(1)Hardiness Range 4B to 10A (2)Tolerates drought conditions (3)can stand exposure to salt spray without injury.

(1)Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7. (2)http://www2.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/liriope.pdf (3)http://www.penpages.psu.edu/penpages_reference/29401/29401158.html

2.04

Distributional range:
Native: ASIA-TEMPERATE
China: China - Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang
Eastern Asia: Japan - Honshu, Kyushu, Ryukyu Islands, Shikoku; Taiwan
ASIA-TROPICAL
Indo-China: Vietnam

USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN) [Online Database]. National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland.
URL: http://www.ars-grin.gov/var/apache/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?liriope+spicata (28 January 2004)

2.05

(1) Alabama, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Mississippi
(2) Hawaii

(1) USDA, NRCS. 2004. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5 (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.
(2) http://www2.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/liriope.pdf

3.01

"Naturalizing'

Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7.

3.02

(1)"This plant spreads quickly by rhizomes and can invade adjacent turf areas or other ground cover beds. Therefore, this Liriope may be best suited for planting in a bed surrounded by hardscape or confined with an edging (root barrier) that is 18-inches-deep." [It causes problems in gardens, but not a naturally occuring weed] (2)can be invasive [spreading vegetatively into neighboring plantings] (3)It has totally taken over my flower bed and has now moved into my St. Augustine yard. [sometimes a controlled but only from vegetative plants that are intentionally planted for ornamental purposes]

(1)Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7. (2)http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/groundcover/liriope_spicata.html (3)http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/tips/msg031155469228.html

3.03

no evidence

3.04

(1)on the list of "Non-native invasive plant species for the continental United States and the eastern United States [the designation was for MARYLAND ONLY and appears to be derived fron an individual's personal opinion] -- Habitats: disturbed areas such as roadsides, harvested forests, old fields, overgrazed pastures, waste places, etc., forest areas and thickets where there is an overstory. grassy areas such as grasslands, rangelands, pastures (2)NOT listed on Maryland invasive plants list (3)It can be invasive in the wrong location.[vague]

(1)http://www.hnd.usace.army.mil/techinfo/CPW/PWTB200-1-19/.%5CPWTB%20200-1-19_AppendixD.pdf (2)http://www.mdflora.org/publications/invasives.htm (30http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC1108.htm

3.05

Though liriope (Liriope muscari) doesn't appear on lists of prominent invasive plants, the sudden behavioral change in my yard is a classic tip-off that the cultivar may be trouble, according to Barry Rice. A few clumps of two or three spindly liriope leaves sprouted in the lawn. By last summer, hundreds of clumps were infesting the property in some cases, up to 50 feet from the liriope border. [possible garden weed]

http://www.sciencenews.org/20030412/bob9.asp

4.01

no description of these traits

Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7.

4.02

no evidence

4.03

no evidence

4.04

(1)Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer (2)seldom damaged by rabbits

(1) http://plants.gardenbed.com/39/3813_cul.asp (2)http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1031.html

4.05

no evidence

4.06

Cercospora liriopes: China [a specialist on Ophiopogon and Liriope but no known economic importance]
Vermicularia ophiopogonis: China [a specialist on Ophiopogon and Liriope but no known economic importance]

Farr, D.F., Rossman, A.Y., Palm, M.E., & McCray, E.B. (n.d.) Fungal Databases, Systematic Botany & Mycology Laboratory, ARS, USDA. Retrieved January 28, 2004, from http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/

4.07

"This plant is considered mostly allergy free and causes little or no allergy problems in most people."

Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7.

4.08

on the "fire-safe plant varieties" list

http://www.monrovia.com/MonroviaWeb.nsf/0/02204fa78af2ff2d88256bde000532e9?OpenDocument

4.09

"It will grow well underneath trees or around shrubs." Exposure: Full shade to full sun

Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7.

4.1

Soil Condition Loamy, sandy, clay, acidic, neutral, alkaline, tolerates salt, drought tolerant

Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7.

4.11

low, groundcover

4.12

low, groundcover

5.01

terrestrial

5.02

with grass-like appearance but actually belongs to Liliaceae

5.03

herbaceous perennial

5.04

"Perennial; Grows from soil without a stem; propagated by division of the clumps or tubers; Root Form: rhizome"

Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7.

6.01

"This plant spreads quickly by rhizomes and can invade adjacent turf areas or other ground cover beds. These flowers appear in the summer and are followed by blue-black berrylike fruits."

Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7.

6.02

"It will also grow from seed if the pulp is removed."

Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7.

6.03

no evidence

6.04

no evidence

6.05

no evidence [smalll open flower structure suggests insect pollination

6.06

"This plant spreads quickly by rhizomes and can invade adjacent turf areas or other ground cover beds."

Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7.

6.07

(1)slow growth rate and establishment (2)Rapid growth rate (3)Spreads rapidly [presumed capable of seeding in one year - fast growing perennial herb]

(1)http://www.hcs.ohio-state.edu/hcs/TMI/Plantlist/li_icata.html (2)http://www.piedmontcarolina.com/PCNWeb/Products/PlantGenusDtl.cfm?PlantID=562 (3)http://www.millersgroundcover.com/liriope.htm

7.01

a ground cover with relatyively large fruit

7.02

a ornamental

7.03

no evidence

7.04

These flowers appear in the summer and are followed by blue-black berrylike fruits. [low groundcover bearing beery]

7.05

no evidence

7.06

"blue-black berrylike fruits." [bird dispersal syndrome]

Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7.

7.07

no known means of attachment

7.08

bird-disersed

Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7.

8.01

"Fruits are not produced in abundance.; blue-black berrylike fruits.; Fruit length: less than .5 inch; Fruit cover: fleshy; Fruit color: black" [relatyively large fruits, not in abundance]

Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7.

8.02

(1)"Seed does not store well; sow as soon as possible"; " stratify if sowing indoors" (2)Depulped seeds germinated readily [implies lack of dormancy in soil]

(1)http://plantsdatabase.com/go/56769/Creeping+Lilyturf,+Monkey+Grass_Liriope_spicata.html (2)http://agsearch.snu.ac.kr/book/ardata/ar98/%b1%e8%b1%e2%bc%b1.htm

8.03

The preemergence herbicide Goal® (oxyfluorfen) causes more severe damage to lirope and should be avoided.

http://www2.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/liriope.pdf

8.04

(1) "The incidence of both disease and insect problems can be reduced by mowing or pruning the old foliage in late winter, especially if the cut leaves are removed."
(2) "This plant spreads quickly by rhizomes and can invade adjacent turf areas or other ground cover beds." [tolerates mowing; vegetatively spread by rhizome]

(1) http://www2.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/liriope.pdf
(2)Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7.

8.05

"The most serious disease of liriope is root rot caused by Pythium splendens. Symptoms begin as a tip burn followed by a gradual yellowing and browning. Eventually the crown will easily separate from the base when gently pulled. Heavy soils and poor drainage promote outbreaks of the disease. The soil-borne Pythium is difficult to control, but the fungicides Subdue® and Truban® provide effective control when applied as drenches. Top-dressing with compost also seems to help combat this disease." [The disease occurrs in Hawaii, however no evidence on whether it is an effective enemy]

http://www2.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/liriope.pdf