Photosynthetic performance and growth responses of Liriope muscari (Decne.) L.H. Bailey (Asparagaceae) to different levels of irradiance in three seasons

•Lilyturf can survive in a wide range of light environments•Path analysis showed that Tleaf and VPD affected lilyturf's photosynthesis.•Lilyturf was more able to acclimate to low light rather than to high light•Winter and autumn photosynthesis make main contributions to lilyturf's carbon economy•Results can explain the distribution of this species in dense forests.