Liriope from Diane P, SC

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Hi, Dr. Hill,
I came across this plant July 1 in the Fall Line area, lightly-shaded hardwoods near a spring-fed pond. It makes me think of fly poison, but it was less than a foot tall and I can’t match it up with any reference photos. I returned a few days later to take more pictures, but the deer had already eaten the flower head. Thank you.

 

Hi Diane,

those darn deer!  Based on the picture you sent, this is Liriope muscari, generally known as monkey grass, at least to me.  It was probably persistent from cultivation, or discarded there – it is a common yard plant and not native.  This one was still in bud.

Sincerely,

Steve Hill, Botanist, SCNPS

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