A Taxonomic Research Update of Cultivated Liriopogons

A taxonomic revision of liriopogons (Liriope Lour., Ophiopogon Ker-Gawl) cultivated in the United States is in progress at North Carolina State Univ. Germplasm was obtained from nurseries, botanical gardens/arboreta, and private collectors. Nearly 17% of the germplasm was misidentified to genus; nearly 36% misidentified to species; and nearly 14% received under one name from one source contained mixed germplasm. Preliminary analysis of data indicate a minimum of five species of Liriope and eight species of Ophio-pogon are in cultivation. Six additional taxa have not flowered. Polygonal graph analysis was used to visualize biometrical data and observe relationships among taxa. Additional taxonomic publications for segregation of genera and species of liriopogons, including an inventory of taxa, quantitative descriptions, illustrations, and keys, are in progress.