Aspidistra
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Description
Species of Aspidistra are perennial herbaceous plants growing from rhizomes. The leaves are either solitary or are grouped in small "tufts" of two to four. They arise more or less directly from the rhizome, rather than being borne on stems. Each leaf has a long stalk (petiole) and a blade with many veins. The flowering stem (scape) is usually very short so that the flowers appear low down among the leaves. The fleshy flowers are bell-, urn- or cup-shaped. They vary considerably in size and shape, although few are showy. The flowers of A. longipedunculata are yellow and, unusually for the genus, are borne on scapes up to 20 cm (8 in) high. A. grandiflora has spider-like flowers up to 12 cm (5 in) across. The flower has a large stigma with a flattened top. The fruit is a berry, often with a single seed.
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Taxonomy
The genus Aspidistra was named by the English botanist John Ker Gawler in 1822, as a blend of Greek ασπίς/ασπίδ- aspid-, meaning shield, and the name of the sister genus Tupistra. The genus was at one time placed in a broadly defined Liliaceae, along with many other lilioid monocots. It has also been placed in the families Convallariaceae and Ruscaceae. The APG III system of 2009 places it in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Nolinoideae.
Species
Aspidistra is a genus that was largely ignored by field botanists until the 1980s onwards, and there has been a rapid rise in the number of recognised species since then. Some 8 to 10 species were known in the late 1970s; 30 new species were described from China in the 1980s. Subsequently, more new species were found in Vietnam. The online Flora of China uses a narrow definition of species, producing a total of about 55, saying that the genus has "never been well studied". In 2008, Tillich provided the key to the 93 species known at that time.
Plants of the World Online currently includes:
- Aspidistra acetabuliformis Y.Wan & C.C.Huang – China (Guangxi)
- Aspidistra alata Tillich – Vietnam (Cao Bang)
- Aspidistra albiflora C.R.Lin, W.B.Xu & Yan Liu
- Aspidistra albopurpurea Aver. & Tillich
- Aspidistra alternativa D.Fang & L.Y.Yu – China (Guangxi)
- Aspidistra anomala Aver. & Tillich
- Aspidistra arnautovii Tillich – Vietnam (Hai Phong)
- Aspidistra atrata Aver., Tillich & B.H.Quang
- Aspidistra atroviolacea Tillich
(synonym A. renatae Bräuchler) – Vietnam (central) - Aspidistra attenuata Hayata
- Aspidistra australis S.Z.He & W.F.Xu
- Aspidistra austrosinensis Y.Wan & C.C.Huang – China (Guangxi)
- Aspidistra austroyunnanensis G.W.Hu, Lei Cai & Q.F.Wang
- Aspidistra averyanovii N.S.Lý & Tillich
- Aspidistra babensis K.S.Nguyen, Aver. & Tillich
- Aspidistra bamaensis C.R.Lin, Y.Y.Liang & Yan Liu
- Aspidistra basalis Tillich
- Aspidistra bella Aver., Tillich & K.S.Nguyen
- Aspidistra bicolor Tillich – Vietnam (Thai Nguyen)
- Aspidistra bogneri Tillich – Vietnam (Ninh Binh)
- Aspidistra brachypetala C.R.Lin & B.Pan
- Aspidistra brachystyla Aver. & Tillich – Vietnam
- Aspidistra cadamensis N.S.Lý & Tillich
- Aspidistra caespitosa C.Pei – China (Sichuan)
- Aspidistra campanulata Tillich – Vietnam (Tuyen Quang)
- Aspidistra carinata Y.Wan & X.H.Lu – China (N Guangxi)
- Aspidistra carnosa Tillich – Vietnam (Lam Dong)
- Aspidistra cavicola D.Fang & K.C.Yen – China (NW Guangxi)
- Aspidistra cerina G.Z.Li & S.C.Tang – China (Guangxi)
- Aspidistra chishuiensis S.Z.He & W.F.Xu
- Aspidistra chongzuoensis C.R.Lin & Y.S.Huang
- Aspidistra chunxiuensis C.R.Lin & Yan Liu
- Aspidistra clausa Vislobokov
- Aspidistra claviformis Y.Wan – China (W Guangxi)
- Aspidistra cleistantha D.X.Nong & H.Z.Lü
- Aspidistra coccigera Aver. & Tillich
- Aspidistra columellaris Tillich
- Aspidistra connata Tillich – Vietnam (Gialai-Kontum)
- Aspidistra corniculata Vislobokov
- Aspidistra crassifila Yan Liu & C.I Peng
- Aspidistra cruciformis Y.Wan & X.H.Lu – China (NW Guangxi)
- Aspidistra cryptantha Tillich – Vietnam (Cao Bang)
- Aspidistra cyathiflora Y.Wan & C.C.Huang – China (Guangxi)
- Aspidistra cylindrica Vislobokov & Nuraliev
- Aspidistra daibuensis Hayata – Taiwan
- Aspidistra daxinensis M.F.Hou & Yan Liu
- Aspidistra deflexa Aver., Tillich & V.T.Pham
- Aspidistra dodecandra (Gagnep.) Tillich – Indo-China
- Aspidistra dolichanthera X.X.Chen – China (SW Guangxi)
- Aspidistra ebianensis K.Y.Lang & Z.Y.Zhu – China (Sichuan)
- Aspidistra elatior Blume (synonym A.insularis Tillich) Japan (Ōsumi & Kuroshima Islands): houseplant
- Aspidistra elegans Aver. & Tillich
- Aspidistra erecta Yan Liu & C.I Peng
- Aspidistra erosa Aver., Tillich, T.A.Le & K.S.Nguyen
- Aspidistra erythrocephala C.R.Lin & Y.Y.Liang
- Aspidistra extrorsa C.R.Lin & D.X.Nong
- Aspidistra fasciaria G.Z.Li – China (?Guangxi)
- Aspidistra fenghuangensis K.Y.Lang – China (W Hunan)
- Aspidistra fimbriata F.T.Wang & K.Y.Lang – China (Fujian, Guangdong, Hainan)
- Aspidistra flaviflora K.Y.Lang & Z.Y.Zhu – China (SC Sichuan)
- Aspidistra foliosa Tillich – Vietnam (Thua Thien)
- Aspidistra fungilliformis Y.Wan – China (W Guangxi)
- Aspidistra geastrum Tillich – Vietnam (Thua Thien)
- Aspidistra glandulosa (Gagnep.) Tillich – Laos (La Khon)
- Aspidistra globosa Vislobokov & Nuraliev
- Aspidistra gracilis Tillich
- Aspidistra graminifolia Aver. & Tillich
- Aspidistra grandiflora Tillich – Vietnam (Hoa Binh)
- Aspidistra guangxiensis S.C.Tang & Yan Liu – China (Guangxi)
- Aspidistra hekouensis H.Li – China (SE Yunnan)
- Aspidistra hekouensis H.Li, C.L.Long & Bogner
- Aspidistra heterocarpa Aver., Tillich & V.T.Pham
- Aspidistra hezhouensis Q.Gao & Yan Liu
- Aspidistra huanjiangensis G.Z.Li & Y.G.Wei – China (Gunangxi)
- Aspidistra jiangjinensis S.R.Yi & C.R.Lin
- Aspidistra jiewhoei Tillich & Škornick.
- Aspidistra jingxiensis Yan Liu & C.R.Lin
- Aspidistra khangii Aver. & Tillich
- Aspidistra laongamensis C.R.Lin & X.Y.Huang
- Aspidistra laotica Aver. & Tillich
- Aspidistra lateralis Tillich – Vietnam (Thua Thien)
- Aspidistra letreae Aver., Tillich & T.A. Le – Vietnam (Thua Thien)
- Aspidistra leshanensis K.Y.Lang & Z.Y.Zhu – China (SC Sichuan)
- Aspidistra leucographa C.R.Lin & C.Y.Zou
- Aspidistra leyeensis Y.Wan & C.C.Huang – China (NW Guangxi)
- Aspidistra liboensis S.Z.He & J.Y.Wu
- Aspidistra linearifolia Y.Wan & C.C.Huang – China (W Guangxi)
- Aspidistra lingchuanensis C.R.Lin & L.F.Guo
- Aspidistra lingyunensis C.R.Lin & L.F.Guo
- Aspidistra lobata Tillich – China (Sichuan)
- Aspidistra locii Arnautov & Bogner – Vietnam
- Aspidistra longanensis Y.Wan – China (WC Guangxi)
- Aspidistra longgangensis C.R.Lin, Y.S.Huang & Yan Liu
- Aspidistra longiconnectiva C.T.Lu, K.C.Chuang & J.C.Wang
- Aspidistra longifolia Hook.f. – India
- Aspidistra longiloba G.Z.Li – China (Guangxi)
- Aspidistra longipedunculata D.Fang – China (SW Guangxi)
- Aspidistra longipetala S.Z.Huang – China (C Guangxi)
- Aspidistra longituba Yan Liu & C.R.Lin
- Aspidistra longshengensis C.R.Lin & W.B.Xu
- Aspidistra lubae Aver. & Tillich
- Aspidistra luochengensis B.Pan & C.R.Lin
- Aspidistra luodianensis D.D.Tao – China (NW Guangxi, S Guizhou)
- Aspidistra lurida Ker Gawl. – China (Guangdong, NC Guangxi, SC Guizhou) - type species
- Aspidistra lutea Tillich – Vietnam (Son La)
- Aspidistra maguanensis S.Z.He & D.H.Lv
- Aspidistra marasmioides Tillich – Vietnam (Hai Phong)
- Aspidistra marginella D.Fang & L.Zeng – China (SW Guangxi)
- Aspidistra medusa Aver., K.S.Nguyen & Tillich
- Aspidistra micrantha Vislobokov & Nuraliev
- Aspidistra minor Vislobokov, Nuraliev & M.S.Romanov
- Aspidistra minutiflora Stapf – China (N Guangdong, Guangxi, ?Guizhou, Hainan, Hong Kong, SW Hunan)
- Aspidistra mirostigma Tillich & Škornick.
- Aspidistra molendinacea G.Z.Li & S.C.Tang – China (Guangzi)
- Aspidistra multiflora Aver. & Tillich
- Aspidistra muricata F.C.How – China (NC & W Guangxi)
- Aspidistra mushaensis Hayata – Taiwan
- Aspidistra nanchuanensis Tillich – China (Sichuan)
- Aspidistra nankunshanensis Yan Liu & C.R.Lin
- Aspidistra neglecta Aver., Tillich & K.S.Nguyen
- Aspidistra nigra Aver., Tillich & K.S.Nguyen
- Aspidistra nikolaii Aver. & Tillich – Vietnam (Annamite Mts.)
- Aspidistra nutans Aver. & Tillich
- Aspidistra obconica C.R.Lin & Yan Liu
- Aspidistra oblanceifolia F.T.Wang & K.Y.Lang – China (S Guizhou, W Hubei, Sichuan)
- Aspidistra obliquipeltata D.Fang & L.Y.Yu – China (Guangxi)
- Aspidistra oblongifolia F.T.Wang & K.Y.Lang – China (N Guangxi)
- Aspidistra obtusata Vislobokov
- Aspidistra omeiensis Z.Y.Zhu & J.L.Zhang – China (Sichuan)
- Aspidistra opaca Tillich – Vietnam (Khanh Hoa)
- Aspidistra ovatifolia Yan Liu & C.R.Lin
- Aspidistra oviflora Aver. & Tillich
- Aspidistra papillata G.Z.Li – China (Guangxi)
- Aspidistra patentiloba Y.Wan & X.H.Lu – China (C Guangxi)
- Aspidistra paucitepala Vislobokov, Nuraliev & D.D.Sokoloff
- Aspidistra petiolata Tillich – Vietnam (Thua Thien)
- Aspidistra phanluongii Vislobokov – Vietnam
- Aspidistra pileata D.Fang & L.Y.Yu – China (Guangxi)
- Aspidistra pingfaensis S.Z.He & Q.W.Sun
- Aspidistra pingtangensis S.Z.He, W.F.Xu & Q.W.Sun
- Aspidistra phongdiensis D. Dien, T.A. Le & Vislobokov
- Aspidistra pulchella B.M.Wang & Yan Liu
- Aspidistra punctata Lindl. – China (Guandong, Hong Kong)
- Aspidistra punctatoides Yan Liu & C.R.Lin
- Aspidistra purpureomaculata H.C.Xi, J.T.Yin & W.G.Wang
- Aspidistra qijiangensis S.Z.He & X.Y.Luo
- Aspidistra quadripartita G.Z.Li & S.C.Tang - China (Guangxi)
- Aspidistra quangngaiensis N.S.Lý, Haev. & Tillich
- Aspidistra radiata G.W.Hu & Q.F.Wang
- Aspidistra recondita Tillich – Vietnam (location not known)
- Aspidistra retusa K.Y.Lang & S.Z.Huang – China (NE Guangxi)
- Aspidistra revoluta Hao Zhou, S.R.Yi & Q.Gao
- Aspidistra ronganensis C.R.Lin, Jing Liu & W.B.Xu
- Aspidistra sarcantha Aver., Tillich, T.A.Le & K.S.Nguyen
- Aspidistra saxicola Y.Wan – China (WC Guangxi)
- Aspidistra semiaperta Aver. & Tillich
- Aspidistra sessiliflora Aver. & Tillich
- Aspidistra sichuanensis K.Y.Lang & Z.Y.Zhu – China (Guangxi, Guizhou, W Hunan, Sichuan, Yunnan)
- Aspidistra sinensis Aver. & Tillich
- Aspidistra sinuata Aver. & Tillich
- Aspidistra spinula S.Z.He – China (Guizhou)
- Aspidistra stellata Aver. & Tillich
- Aspidistra stenophylla C.R.Lin & R.C.Hu
- Aspidistra stricta Tillich – Vietnam (Lam Dong)
- Aspidistra subrotata Y.Wan & C.C.Huang – China (S & W Guangxi), Vietnam (Thai Nguyen)
- Aspidistra superba Tillich – Vietnam (Ninh Binh)
- Aspidistra sutepensis K.Larsen – Vietnam (Paypa)
- Aspidistra synpetala C.R.Lin & Yan Liu
- Aspidistra tenuifolia C.R.Lin & J.C.Yang
- Aspidistra tillichiana O.Colin
- Aspidistra tonkinensis (Gagnep.) F.T.Wang & K.Y.Lang – China (NW Guangxi, S Guizhou, SE Yunnan), Vietnam
- Aspidistra triloba F.T.Wang & K.Y.Lang – China (SC Hunan, W Jiangxi)
- Aspidistra triquetra Aver., Son, Tillich & K.S.Nguyen
- Aspidistra triradiata Vislobokov
- Aspidistra truongii Aver. & Tillich – Vietnam
- Aspidistra tubiflora Tillich – China (Sichuan)
- Aspidistra typica Baill. – China (SW Guangxi, SE Yunnan), Vietnam
- Aspidistra umbrosa Tillich – Vietnam (location not known)
- Aspidistra urceolata F.T.Wang & K.Y.Lang – China (Guizhou)
- Aspidistra ventricosa Tillich & Škornick.
- Aspidistra verruculosa Aver., Tillich & D.D.Nguyen - Vietnam (Di Linh plateau)
- Aspidistra vietnamensis (Aver. & Tillich) Aver. & Tillich
- Aspidistra viridiflora Vislobokov & Nuraliev
- Aspidistra wujiangensis W.F.Xu & S.Z.He
- Aspidistra xichouensis Lei Cai, Z.L.Dao & G.W.Hu
- Aspidistra xilinensis Y.Wan & X.H.Lu – China (NW Guangxi)
- Aspidistra xuansonensis Vislobokov
- Aspidistra yizhouensis B.Pan & C.R.Lin
- Aspidistra yunwuensis S.Z.He & W.F.Xu
- Aspidistra zhangii Aver., Tillich & K.S.Nguyen
- Aspidistra zhenganensis S.Z.He & Y.Wang
- Aspidistra zinaidae Aver. & Tillich
- Aspidistra zongbayi K.Y.Lang & Z.Y.Zhu – China (Sichuan)
Distribution and ecology
Species of Aspidistra are part of the ground flora, growing in forests and under shrubs, in areas of high rainfall, from eastern India, Indochina and China through to Japan. The largest number of species are found in Guangxi Province, China, with Vietnam occupying second place. Few species have a broad distribution, with many being endemic to China or Vietnam.
It has long been said that slugs and snails pollinate Aspidistra flowers. This has been described as a "myth". Amphipods, small terrestrial crustaceans, are responsible for pollinating A. elatior in Japan. Amphipods have also been shown to pollinate species of Aspidistra introduced to Australia. Springtails and fungus gnats have also been suggested as pollinators. The newly described Vietnamese species A. phanluongii is probably pollinated by flies of the genus Megaselia.
Cultivation and uses
Aspidistra elatior, the "cast-iron plant", is a popular houseplant, surviving shade, cool conditions and neglect. It is one of several species of Aspidistra that can be grown successfully outdoors in shade in temperate climates, where they will generally cope with temperatures down to −5 °C (23 °F), being killed by frosts of −5 to −10 °C (23 to 14 °F) or below. In addition to shade, aspidistras require an open, acidic and humus-rich soil. Species suggested for growing outdoors in the UK include A. diabuensis, A. elatior, A. lurida, A. typica, A. zongbyi and their cultivars.
In Japan, leaves of A. elatior have traditionally been cut into pieces and used in bento and osechi boxes to keep each food separated. However, imitations called "baran" are commonly used now.
In popular culture
As a popular foliage houseplant, A. elatior became popular in late Victorian Britain and was so common that it became a "symbol of dull middle-class respectability". As such, it was central to George Orwell's novel Keep the Aspidistra Flying, as a symbol of the need of the middle class to maintain respectability according to Gordon Comstock, the novel's protagonist. It was further immortalised in the 1938 song "The Biggest Aspidistra in the World", which, as sung by Gracie Fields, became a popular wartime classic. An aspidistra is mentioned in the Wallace and Gromit short, "The Autochef", from the Cracking Contraptions series. In two Dorothy L. Sayers books from the mid-1930s, Busman's Honeymoon and The Nine Tailors, characters make disparaging remarks about aspidistras.
Aspidistras can withstand deep shade, neglect, dry soil, hot temperatures and polluted indoor air (from burning coal or natural gas) but are sensitive to bright sunlight.
"Aspidistra" was the codename (inspired by the above song) of a very powerful British radio transmitter used for propaganda and deception purposes against Nazi Germany during World War II.
The 1980s British television show The Adventure Game featured a moving aspidistra called the Rangdo of Arg, operated by Kenny Baker.