Liriope, often called Lilyturf, is a broadleaf evergreen, clump-forming, perennial. It resembles ornamental grass but it is not a true grass.

David L. Clement, University of Maryland, Bugwood.org CC BY-NC

Reddish-brown speckles appear in patches on leaf margins and tips. There is frequently a yellow line between the brown and green parts of the leaf. Half circle patterns of damage can also appear on the sides of leaves.

Management Strategies

• Select disease-resistant cultivars. Replace susceptible plants with tolerant ones.
• Keep foliage dry by avoiding overhead irrigation 
• Increase air circulation to promote rapid leaf drying by thinning plants as needed.
• Remove and destroy diseased plant debris as symptoms develop, especially in the fall. 
• Apply fungicides as needed to protect new growth. Check the fungicide label to be sure both host and pathogen are listed.  
  • Once plants are infected, fungicides will not cure the disease. 
  • Use a wetting agent (surfactant/adjuvant) so fungicide adheres to waxy foliage. 

R.K. Jones, NC State University, Bugwood.org CC BY-NC 2.0

• Key Plant, Key Pests, Lilyturf (Liriope Muscari) (University of Florida)
• Managing Diseases of Herbaceous Ornamentals (See page 5) (University of Kentucky)
• Professional Disease Management Guide for Ornamental Plants  (University of Florida)
• Liriope, plants.ces.ncsu.edu