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!!

An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 14, 2021, 6:12 PM EDT

Loading ...