✵The article records the herb Dwarf Lilyturf Root—its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, botanical sources—two plant species: (1) Ophiopogon japonicus (L. f.) Ker-Gawl. and (2) Ophiopogon bodinieri Lévl. It provides a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of these species, as well as the characteristics of the herb, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Radix Ophiopogonis (Dwarf Lilyturf Root)
Pinyin Name: Mài Dōnɡ (also Mài Mén Dōnɡ)
English Name: Dwarf Lilyturf Root
Latin Name:Radix Ophiopogonis Properties and Flavor: Slightly cold in nature; sweet and slightly bitter
Brief Introduction:Radix Ophiopogonis is the dried tuberous root of Ophiopogon japonicus (L. f.) Ker-Gawl., used to nourish Lung and Stomach Yin, generate body fluids, moisten the lungs, and calm the mind. It treats thirst (polydipsia), dry throat, dry cough, and blood-tinged sputum in febrile diseases or Lung- and Stomach-Yin deficiency; and alleviates restlessness and insomnia. It is commonly known as Radix Ophiopogonis, Dwarf Lilyturf Root, or Mài Dōnɡ.
Botanical Source: Classical herbal works define Dwarf Lilyturf Tuber (Mài Mén Dōnɡ) as the tuberous root of two species in the family Asparagaceae (formerly Liliaceae): (1) Ophiopogon japonicus (L. f.) Ker-Gawl. and (2) Ophiopogon bodinieri Lévl. Both belong to the genus Ophiopogon Ker-Gawl., order Asparagales (formerly Liliales). These two widely used species are described below:
(1) Ophiopogon japonicus (L. f.) Ker-Gawl.
Botanical Description: Ophiopogon japonicus (L. f.) Ker-Gawl. is a perennial herb of the Asparagaceae family (asparagus family) and genus Ophiopogon, commonly known as Dwarf Lilyturf, Mài Dōnɡ, Mài Mén Dōnɡ, or Yán Jiē Cǎo. It grows 12–40 cm tall. Fibrous roots are often swollen at their distal or middle portions, forming succulent, tuberous roots. Leaves are tufted (cespitose); petioles are sheathing with membranous margins. Leaf blades are narrowly linear (filiform), 15–40 cm long and 1.5–4 mm wide, with acute to acuminate apices; the basal portion is greenish-white and slightly enlarged, bearing numerous fibriform remnants of old leaf bases.
Scapes (flowering stalks) are shorter than the leaves, measuring 7–15 cm (occasionally 6–27 cm). Inflorescences are terminal, spicate racemes, 2–5 cm (or up to 3–8 cm) long, bearing several to ten flowers. Bracteoles are membranous; each subtends one to three axillary flowers. Pedicels are 3–4 mm long, with joints located near or above the midpoint. Flowers are small, mauve (lilac), and slightly pendulous. The perianth consists of six lanceolate, unexpanded lobes (~5 mm long). Six stamens are present; anthers are triangular-lanceolate, 2.5–3 mm long. The ovary is half-inferior, trilocular. The style is ~4 mm long and ~1 mm wide, broad at the base, and tapers gradually upward.
Berries are globose, 5–7 mm in diameter—green when immature, turning dark blue at maturity. Flowering occurs from May to August; fruiting from July to September.
Ecological Environment: This species grows at elevations below 2,000 m, in moist, shaded habitats such as hillsides, mountain slopes, forest understories, or along streams—and is also cultivated. Native to China, it is predominantly distributed and cultivated there.
Growth Characteristics: Ophiopogon japonicus prefers warm, humid, and partially shaded conditions with abundant rainfall. It is cold-tolerant but heat-sensitive, growing optimally at 15–25 °C (59–77 °F); growth ceases below 0 °C (32 °F) or above 35 °C (95 °F). Adequate soil moisture is essential throughout its growth cycle, and sufficient light—especially during tuber development—is required to promote root expansion. Cultivation is best undertaken in loose, fertile, moist, neutral to slightly alkaline loam or sandy loam with good drainage. Growth is poor in waterlogged, excessively sandy, or acidic soils. Continuous cropping should be avoided.
Characteristics of the Herb: The tuberous root is fusiform (spindle-shaped), with slightly pointed ends; its length is 1.5–3.5 cm, and its diameter at the middle part is 3–7 mm. The surface is khaki or yellowish-white and bears deep, irregular, fine vertical striations; sometimes, a small, fine stele (central cylinder) is exposed at one end. The texture of the herb is pliable and tough; the fracture surface is off-white or yellowish-white, translucent, and features a fine, small, round stele (cylindrical stele), which can be pulled out when the herb is fresh. The herb has a slight fragrance, tastes slightly sweet and puckery, and is slightly sticky (glutinous) when chewed.
(2) Ophiopogon bodinieri Lévl.
Botanical Description:Ophiopogon bodinieri Lévl. is a perennial herb of the Asparagaceae family (formerly classified in the Liliaceae family) and the genus Ophiopogon (lilyturf). It is also known as Ophiopogon bodinieri H. Lév. and commonly referred to as Ophiopogon or Yán Jiē Cǎo. It grows up to 15–40 cm tall. Roots are slender; the portion near the terminal end is sometimes enlarged into a fusiform (spindle-shaped) tuberous root. The underground rhizome is long, 1–2 mm in diameter, and bears membranous sheaths at the nodes. Stems are very short. Leaves arise in a basal tuft; each leaf is grass-like, 20–40 cm long and 2–4 mm wide, with an acuminate apex, 3–5 parallel veins, and a finely serrulate (minutely serrated) margin.
Scapes are slightly shorter than the leaves or nearly equal in length; racemes are 1–7 cm long and bear several to about a dozen flowers. Flowers are usually solitary or occur in pairs within the axils of floral bracts; bracts are strap-shaped or lanceolate—occasionally acicular—and slightly yellowish and translucent; the lowest bracts are about 7 mm long, with a few longer. Pedicels are 5–8 mm long, with nodes located in their middle portion. Tepals (perianth lobes) are ovate-lanceolate, lanceolate, or nearly rectangular-ovate, 4–6 mm long; the three inner tepals are broader than the three outer tepals; they are white or slightly purplish. Filaments are very short (less than 1 mm). Anthers are narrow-lanceolate, ~2.5 mm long, and often yellowish-green. The style is slender and cylindrical, 4–5 mm long. Seeds are subglobose or ellipsoid, 5–6 mm in diameter. Flowering occurs from June to August; fruiting occurs from August to October.
Morphological features are similar to those of Ophiopogon japonicus (L. f.) Ker-Gawl., but key differences include: scapes are usually slightly shorter than the leaves or nearly equal in length; tepals are somewhat expanded during anthesis; and the style is slender, elongated, cylindrical, and lacks a broadened base.
Ecological Environment: This species grows on hillsides and mountain slopes, in damp valley bottoms, along ditches, in shrublands, or under forest canopies, at elevations of 600–3,400 m above sea level. It is mainly distributed or cultivated in China.
Ornamental and Garden Use:Ophiopogon bodinieri Levl. exhibits strong environmental tolerance. Its low growth habit, well-developed root system, and rapid ground coverage make it an excellent groundcover plant. It is suitable for planting in scenic wetlands and lakeside wetland areas. Its foliage remains evergreen year-round; its upright, elegantly colored flowers render it appropriate for use as a potted foliage plant.
Characteristics of the Herb: The tuberous root is fusiform (spindle-shaped), measuring 0.8–2 cm in length and 2–4 mm in diameter at the middle. The surface bears fine vertical striations. The fracture surface is yellowish-white, and the stele is thin and small. The herb has a mild taste.
Pharmacological Actions: (1) Modulation of blood glucose levels (either elevation or reduction); (2) antimicrobial activity (in vitro inhibition of Staphylococcus albus, Escherichia coli, etc.); (3) sedative effect; (4) enhancement of hypoxia tolerance in experimental mice; (5) increase in spleen weight.
Medicinal Efficacy: Nourishes Yin and promotes secretion of saliva and body fluids; nourishes Yin and moistens the lungs; clears Heart-Fire and relieves restlessness; moistens the lungs and clears Heart-Fire; strengthens the Stomach and promotes secretion of saliva and body fluids. It is indicated for lung dryness and dry cough; Yin-deficiency tuberculosis cough; hematemesis (vomiting blood); hemoptysis (coughing up blood); blood-heat-induced epistaxis (nosebleed, bleeding from the orifices, or subcutaneous hemorrhage); atrophic lung disease; pulmonary abscess; pharyngitis (throat obstruction; inflammation of the fauces and pharynx); pharyngalgia; dry throat and dry mouth; sore throat; febrile diseases with fluid impairment; fluid impairment with thirst; consumptive disease with dysphoria and a stifling sensation; endogenous heat with wasting thirst (internal heat and consumptive thirst); wasting thirst; vexation and insomnia (mental agitation and sleep disturbance); and constipation due to intestinal dryness.
Administration of Radix Ophiopogonis (Mài Dōnɡ):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Radix Ophiopogonis (Mài Dōnɡ)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 6–12 grams; (2) Internally: Water decoction, 2–4 qián (≈6–12 grams); also prepared as pills or powders; (3) Internally: Water decoction, 1.5–6 grams; higher doses may reach 15–30 grams; also finely powdered and formulated into pills or powders.
✵The article records the herb Dwarf Lilyturf Root—its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, botanical sources—two plant species: (1) Ophiopogon japonicus (L. f.) Ker-Gawl. and (2) Ophiopogon bodinieri Lévl. It provides a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of these species, as well as the characteristics of the herb, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Mài Dōnɡ (also Mài Mén Dōnɡ)
Botanical Source: Classical herbal works define Dwarf Lilyturf Tuber (Mài Mén Dōnɡ) as the tuberous root of two species in the family Asparagaceae (formerly Liliaceae): (1) Ophiopogon japonicus (L. f.) Ker-Gawl. and (2) Ophiopogon bodinieri Lévl. Both belong to the genus Ophiopogon Ker-Gawl., order Asparagales (formerly Liliales). These two widely used species are described below:
Botanical Description: Ophiopogon japonicus (L. f.) Ker-Gawl. is a perennial herb of the Asparagaceae family (asparagus family) and genus Ophiopogon, commonly known as Dwarf Lilyturf, Mài Dōnɡ, Mài Mén Dōnɡ, or Yán Jiē Cǎo. It grows 12–40 cm tall. Fibrous roots are often swollen at their distal or middle portions, forming succulent, tuberous roots. Leaves are tufted (cespitose); petioles are sheathing with membranous margins. Leaf blades are narrowly linear (filiform), 15–40 cm long and 1.5–4 mm wide, with acute to acuminate apices; the basal portion is greenish-white and slightly enlarged, bearing numerous fibriform remnants of old leaf bases.
Scapes (flowering stalks) are shorter than the leaves, measuring 7–15 cm (occasionally 6–27 cm). Inflorescences are terminal, spicate racemes, 2–5 cm (or up to 3–8 cm) long, bearing several to ten flowers. Bracteoles are membranous; each subtends one to three axillary flowers. Pedicels are 3–4 mm long, with joints located near or above the midpoint. Flowers are small, mauve (lilac), and slightly pendulous. The perianth consists of six lanceolate, unexpanded lobes (~5 mm long). Six stamens are present; anthers are triangular-lanceolate, 2.5–3 mm long. The ovary is half-inferior, trilocular. The style is ~4 mm long and ~1 mm wide, broad at the base, and tapers gradually upward.
Berries are globose, 5–7 mm in diameter—green when immature, turning dark blue at maturity. Flowering occurs from May to August; fruiting from July to September.
Ecological Environment: This species grows at elevations below 2,000 m, in moist, shaded habitats such as hillsides, mountain slopes, forest understories, or along streams—and is also cultivated. Native to China, it is predominantly distributed and cultivated there.
Growth Characteristics: Ophiopogon japonicus prefers warm, humid, and partially shaded conditions with abundant rainfall. It is cold-tolerant but heat-sensitive, growing optimally at 15–25 °C (59–77 °F); growth ceases below 0 °C (32 °F) or above 35 °C (95 °F). Adequate soil moisture is essential throughout its growth cycle, and sufficient light—especially during tuber development—is required to promote root expansion. Cultivation is best undertaken in loose, fertile, moist, neutral to slightly alkaline loam or sandy loam with good drainage. Growth is poor in waterlogged, excessively sandy, or acidic soils. Continuous cropping should be avoided.
Characteristics of the Herb: The tuberous root is fusiform (spindle-shaped), with slightly pointed ends; its length is 1.5–3.5 cm, and its diameter at the middle part is 3–7 mm. The surface is khaki or yellowish-white and bears deep, irregular, fine vertical striations; sometimes, a small, fine stele (central cylinder) is exposed at one end. The texture of the herb is pliable and tough; the fracture surface is off-white or yellowish-white, translucent, and features a fine, small, round stele (cylindrical stele), which can be pulled out when the herb is fresh. The herb has a slight fragrance, tastes slightly sweet and puckery, and is slightly sticky (glutinous) when chewed.
Botanical Description: Ophiopogon bodinieri Lévl. is a perennial herb of the Asparagaceae family (formerly classified in the Liliaceae family) and the genus Ophiopogon (lilyturf). It is also known as Ophiopogon bodinieri H. Lév. and commonly referred to as Ophiopogon or Yán Jiē Cǎo. It grows up to 15–40 cm tall. Roots are slender; the portion near the terminal end is sometimes enlarged into a fusiform (spindle-shaped) tuberous root. The underground rhizome is long, 1–2 mm in diameter, and bears membranous sheaths at the nodes. Stems are very short. Leaves arise in a basal tuft; each leaf is grass-like, 20–40 cm long and 2–4 mm wide, with an acuminate apex, 3–5 parallel veins, and a finely serrulate (minutely serrated) margin.
Scapes are slightly shorter than the leaves or nearly equal in length; racemes are 1–7 cm long and bear several to about a dozen flowers. Flowers are usually solitary or occur in pairs within the axils of floral bracts; bracts are strap-shaped or lanceolate—occasionally acicular—and slightly yellowish and translucent; the lowest bracts are about 7 mm long, with a few longer. Pedicels are 5–8 mm long, with nodes located in their middle portion. Tepals (perianth lobes) are ovate-lanceolate, lanceolate, or nearly rectangular-ovate, 4–6 mm long; the three inner tepals are broader than the three outer tepals; they are white or slightly purplish. Filaments are very short (less than 1 mm). Anthers are narrow-lanceolate, ~2.5 mm long, and often yellowish-green. The style is slender and cylindrical, 4–5 mm long. Seeds are subglobose or ellipsoid, 5–6 mm in diameter. Flowering occurs from June to August; fruiting occurs from August to October.
Ecological Environment: This species grows on hillsides and mountain slopes, in damp valley bottoms, along ditches, in shrublands, or under forest canopies, at elevations of 600–3,400 m above sea level. It is mainly distributed or cultivated in China.
Ornamental and Garden Use: Ophiopogon bodinieri Levl. exhibits strong environmental tolerance. Its low growth habit, well-developed root system, and rapid ground coverage make it an excellent groundcover plant. It is suitable for planting in scenic wetlands and lakeside wetland areas. Its foliage remains evergreen year-round; its upright, elegantly colored flowers render it appropriate for use as a potted foliage plant.
Characteristics of the Herb: The tuberous root is fusiform (spindle-shaped), measuring 0.8–2 cm in length and 2–4 mm in diameter at the middle. The surface bears fine vertical striations. The fracture surface is yellowish-white, and the stele is thin and small. The herb has a mild taste.
URL QR code:
