Knowledgebase
grass #744288
Asked April 14, 2021, 12:25 PM EDT
What is spider grass? Is it invasive?
Wayne County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello Tonja
Ornamental Spider Grass: One of a host of common names for ornamental clumping perennials belonging to the botanical genus Liriope, spider grass is also commonly called monkey grass, border grass, Aztec grass, lilyturf, and liriope. A popular ground cover or edging plant, liriope with longer, arching grass-like leaves are often dubbed spider grass, especially in the Midwest. Two species of liriope are grown in gardens: Liriope muscari and Liriope spicata, best across U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 6 through 10.
Not invasive!!
Liriope is a sturdy ground cover that is great to replace turf on a steep bank. See the picture at this link: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/smart_gardeners_replace_worn_out_turf_with_thrifty_ground_covers
More information on Liriope muscari at these links:
https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/liriope/
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/liriope-muscari/
https://www.uaex.edu/yard-garden/resource-library/plant-week/liriope.aspx
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=l100
More information on Liriope spicata at these links: https://hvp.osu.edu/pocketgardener/source/description/li_icata.html
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/liriope-spicata/
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a620
https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/liriope/
Hope this helps!!