85 Species of Genus Ophiopogon

Ophiopogon: A Gardener’s Appreciation

My name is Ferb Vu, and like many of you, I find a deep sense of peace and wonder in the natural world. Today, I want to share my appreciation for a particular genus of plants that has captured my attention: Ophiopogon. These evergreen perennials, often called Mondo grass or snake’s beard, bring a unique texture and understated beauty to gardens and landscapes.

A Diverse Genus

While Ophiopogon might not be the flashiest bloom in the garden, its subtle elegance and hardiness have earned it a place in my heart. Native to warm temperate and tropical regions of East, Southeast, and South Asia, this genus boasts a surprising diversity.

  1. Ophiopogon acerobracteatus R.H.Miao ex W.B.Liao, J.H.Jin & W.Q.Liu
  2. Ophiopogon alatus Aver. & N.Tanaka
  3. Ophiopogon albimarginatus D.Fang
  4. Ophiopogon amblyphyllus F.T.Wang & L.K.Dai
  5. Ophiopogon angustifoliatus (F.T.Wang & Tang) S.C.Chen
  6. Ophiopogon bockianus Diels
  7. Ophiopogon bodinieri H.Lév.
  8. Ophiopogon brevicaulis N.Tanaka, Aver. & K.S.Nguyen
  9. Ophiopogon brevipes Craib
  10. Ophiopogon caulescens (Blume) Backer
  11. Ophiopogon chingii F.T.Wang & Tang
  12. Ophiopogon clarkei Hook.f.
  13. Ophiopogon clavatus C.H.Wright ex Oliv.
  14. Ophiopogon confertifolius N.Tanaka
  15. Ophiopogon cordylinoides Prain
  16. Ophiopogon corifolius F.T.Wang & L.K.Dai
  17. Ophiopogon dolichocaulis K.S.Nguyen, N.Tanaka & Aver.
  18. Ophiopogon dracaenoides (Baker) Hook.f.
  19. Ophiopogon elatior Q.W.Lin, Zhi Y.Yu, Bing Liu & C.T.Le
  20. Ophiopogon erectus Aver. & N.Tanaka
  21. Ophiopogon filipes D.Fang
  22. Ophiopogon fooningensis F.T.Wang & L.K.Dai
  23. Ophiopogon fruticulosus Aver., N.Tanaka & K.S.Nguyen
  24. Ophiopogon grandis W.W.Sm.
  25. Ophiopogon griffithii (Baker) Hook.f.
  26. Ophiopogon hayatae (N.Tanaka) N.Tanaka, Aver. & T.Koyama
  27. Ophiopogon heterandrus F.T.Wang & L.K.Dai
  28. Ophiopogon hongjiangensis Y.Y.Qian
  29. Ophiopogon humilis L.Rodr.
  30. Ophiopogon intermedius D.Don
  31. Ophiopogon jaburan (Siebold) G.Lodd.
  32. Ophiopogon japonicus (Thunb.) Ker Gawl.
  33. Ophiopogon jiangchengensis Y.Y.Qian
  34. Ophiopogon kradungensis M.N.Tamura
  35. Ophiopogon latifolius L.Rodr.
  36. Ophiopogon leptophyllus Griff.
  37. Ophiopogon longifolius Decne.
  38. Ophiopogon lushuiensis S.C.Chen
  39. Ophiopogon mairei H.Lév.
  40. Ophiopogon malcolmsonii Royle ex Hook.f.
  41. Ophiopogon marmoratus Pierre ex L.Rodr.
  42. Ophiopogon megalanthus F.T.Wang & L.K.Dai
  43. Ophiopogon menglianensis H.W.Li
  44. Ophiopogon micranthus Hook.f.
  45. Ophiopogon motouensis S.C.Chen
  46. Ophiopogon multiflorus Y.Wan
  47. Ophiopogon muongnhensis K.S.Nguyen, N.Tanaka & Aver.
  48. Ophiopogon ogisui M.N.Tamura & J.M.Xu
  49. Ophiopogon paniculatus Z.Y.Zhu
  50. Ophiopogon patulus Aver. & N.Tanaka
  51. Ophiopogon peliosanthoides F.T.Wang & Tang
  52. Ophiopogon petraeus Aver. & N.Tanaka
  53. Ophiopogon pierrei L.Rodr.
  54. Ophiopogon pingbienensis F.T.Wang & L.K.Dai
  55. Ophiopogon planiscapus Nakai
  56. Ophiopogon platyphyllus Merr. & Chun
  57. Ophiopogon pseudotonkinensis D.Fang
  58. Ophiopogon regnieri Bois
  59. Ophiopogon reptans Hook.f.
  60. Ophiopogon reversus C.C.Huang
  61. Ophiopogon revolutus F.T.Wang & L.K.Dai
  62. Ophiopogon robustus Aver., N.Tanaka & K.S.Nguyen
  63. Ophiopogon rupestris Aver. & N.Tanaka
  64. Ophiopogon sar-garhwalensis R.D.Gaur & D.S.Rawat
  65. Ophiopogon sarmentosus F.T.Wang & L.K.Dai
  66. Ophiopogon sclerophyllus D.X.Nong & H.Z.Lü
  67. Ophiopogon shuangliuensis S.S.Ying
  68. Ophiopogon siamensis M.N.Tamura
  69. Ophiopogon sinensis Y.Wan & C.C.Huang
  70. Ophiopogon sparsiflorus F.T.Wang & L.K.Dai
  71. Ophiopogon stenophyllus (Merr.) L.Rodr.
  72. Ophiopogon subverticillatus Gagnep. ex L.Rodr.
  73. Ophiopogon sylvicola F.T.Wang & Tang
  74. Ophiopogon szechuanensis F.T.Wang & Tang
  75. Ophiopogon tienensis F.T.Wang & Tang
  76. Ophiopogon tonkinensis L.Rodr.
  77. Ophiopogon trigonantherus N.Tanaka & Aver.
  78. Ophiopogon tristylatus Aver., N.Tanaka & Luu
  79. Ophiopogon tsaii F.T.Wang & Tang
  80. Ophiopogon umbraticola Hance
  81. Ophiopogon vietnamensis N.Tanaka
  82. Ophiopogon xylorrhizus F.T.Wang & L.K.Dai
  83. Ophiopogon yangshuoensis R.H.Jiang & W.B.Xu
  84. Ophiopogon yunnanensis S.C.Chen
  85. Ophiopogon zingiberaceus F.T.Wang & L.K.Dai

Why I Admire Ophiopogon

My admiration for Ophiopogon stems from several factors:

  • Resilience: These plants are incredibly tough. They tolerate a wide range of conditions, from full sun to deep shade, and can withstand drought and heat. This hardiness makes them a reliable choice for gardeners of all skill levels.
  • Versatility: As I mentioned earlier, Ophiopogon can fulfill various roles in the garden. Its clumping growth habit makes it an excellent ground cover, preventing soil erosion and suppressing weeds. It also works beautifully as a border plant, edging walkways or defining garden beds. And for those with limited space, it thrives in containers, adding a touch of greenery to patios and balconies.
  • Textural Interest: The fine, grass-like foliage of Ophiopogon provides a unique texture that contrasts beautifully with broader-leaved plants. It adds a sense of movement and flow to the garden, creating a calming and serene atmosphere.
  • Low Maintenance: Once established, Ophiopogon requires minimal care. It rarely needs fertilizing and can tolerate infrequent watering. This makes it a perfect choice for busy gardeners or those who prefer low-maintenance landscapes.

My Experiences with Ophiopogon

In my own garden, I’ve used Ophiopogon in several ways. I have a mass planting of O. japonicus ‘Nana’ as a ground cover beneath a Japanese maple. The dark green foliage of the Mondo grass complements the delicate leaves of the maple, creating a tranquil scene. I’ve also used O. planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’ to edge a walkway, its black foliage providing a striking contrast to the gray paving stones.

I’m constantly experimenting with new ways to incorporate Ophiopogon into my garden. I recently acquired a variegated cultivar of O. intermedius and plan to use it as an accent plant in a shady border. I’m excited to see how its bright foliage will illuminate the darker corners of my garden.

Beyond the Garden

Ophiopogon also holds cultural and medicinal significance in some parts of the world. In traditional Chinese medicine, the tuberous roots of O. japonicus are used to treat various ailments, including coughs, dry throat, and constipation. It’s fascinating how a plant can offer both aesthetic and therapeutic benefits.

A Plant for Everyone

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting, I highly recommend giving Ophiopogon a try. Its resilience, versatility, and understated beauty make it a valuable addition to any garden. I hope this article has inspired you to explore the world of Mondo grass and discover its many charms.

Scroll to Top