black mondo grass

noun

plural black mondo grasses

: a low-growing Asian evergreen plant (Ophiopogon planiscapus) of the asparagus family that has clusters of dark green to purplish-black grasslike leaves and small light pink to white flowers

Note: Black mondo grass is used as an ornamental plant or ground cover.

Like the look of a black mulch but don't want to buy and spread more every year? Try black mondo grass as a slow-spreading, low-growing groundcover.

—Dawn Pettinelli

A Goth garden is a collection of plants, vines, or vegetables that sport dark hues such as deep purple, inky black, and maroon. … [Susan] Brandt recommends black mondo grass, "as the striking black foliage contrasts beautifully with lighter-colored plants …"

—Jennifer Kelly Geddes

compare mondo grass

Word History

First Known Use

1969, in the meaning defined above