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Aspidistra
Aspidistra elatior
Aspidistra elatior
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Asparagales
Family: Ruscaceae
Genus: Aspidistra
Ker Gawl.
Species

See text. Plants are living Organisms belonging to the kingdom Plantae. The flowering plants or angiosperms ( Angiospermae or Magnoliophyta) are the most widespread group Liliopsida is a Botanical name for the class containing the family Liliaceae (or Lily Family Asparagales is an order of Flowering plants The order must include the family Asparagaceae, but other families included in the order have varied markedly Ruscaceae is a family of Flowering plants in the order Asparagales that includes several genera previously included in the Liliaceae, for example in Charles Henry Bellenden Ker originally John Gawler was an English botanist born about 1764 in Ramridge Andover, Hampshire and died in June 1842 in the same town

Aspidistra species inhabit the floors of east Asian forests from eastern India, Indochina, China and Japan. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country Indochina, or the Indochinese Peninsula, is a region in Southeast Asia. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. Aspidistra is one of those genera that has been ignored by field botanists until quite recently, and there has been a very rapid rise in the number of recognised species in recent years. Botany, plant science(s, phytology, or plant biology is a branch of Biology and is the scientific study of plant Life Most books state that there are 8 to 10 species, which represents our knowledge up to the late 1970s. Then in the 1980s, 30 new species were described from China. Based on current knowledge, China has the most species with some 59, of which 54 are endemic. Endemism is the Ecological state of being unique to a place Endemic species are not naturally found elsewhere The biodiversity 'hotspot' of the genus seems to be Guangxi Province, from where no less than 39 species have been described. Biodiversity is the variation of Life forms within a given Ecosystem, Biome or for the entire Earth. Guangxi (or Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region;) is a Zhuang autonomous region of the People's Republic of China. New species are still being found, and the focus has shifted to Vietnam, from where 25 new species have recently been described with two more awaiting formal description. Vietnam (ˌviːɛtˈnɑːm Việt Nam) officially Currently 91 Aspidistra species have been formally described, and it has been speculated that there may be more than 100.

It has long been erroneously assumed that slugs and snails pollinate Aspidistra flowers. Slug is a common non-scientific word which is often applied to any Gastropod mollusk whatsoever that has a very reduced shell a small internal shell The word snail is a Common name that can be used for almost all members of the Molluscan class Gastropoda which have coiled shells in the Pollination in angiosperms and Gymnosperms is the process that transfers pollen grains, which contain the male Gametes (sperm to where the female Research in Japan has shown that tiny terrestrial crustaceans called amphipods are responsible for pollinating Aspidistra elatior. Structure of crustaceans As Arthropods crustaceans have a stiff Exoskeleton, which must be shed to allow the animal to grow ( Ecdysis or molting Amphipoda (amphipods are an order of animals that includes over 7000 described Species of Shrimp -like Crustaceans ranging from 1 mm to 140 mm Australian amphipods have also been shown to pollinate introduced Aspidistra sp. Pollination in angiosperms and Gymnosperms is the process that transfers pollen grains, which contain the male Gametes (sperm to where the female and collembolans may also be implicated. Springtails ( Collembola) form the largest of the three lineages of modern hexapods that are no longer considered Insects (the other two are the Fungus gnats have also been suggested as possible pollinators. Fungus gnats are small dark short-lived flies, of the families Sciaridae, Diadocidiidae, Ditomyiidae, Keroplatidae, Bolitophilidae

Species
  1. Aspidistra acetabuliformis Y. Wan & C. C. Huang. Acta Phytotax. Sin. , 25(5): 396 (1987). Distribution: China (Guangxi)
  2. Aspidistra alata Tillich. Blumea 52 (2): 336 (2007). Distribution: Vietnam (Cao Bang)
  3. Aspidistra alternativa D. Fang & L. Y. Yu. Acta Phytotax. Sin. 40(2): 161 (2002). Distribution: China (Guangxi)
  4. Aspidistra arnautovii Tillich. Feddes Repert. 116(5-6): 314 (316, 335-336; fig. 1b-d). (2005). Distribution: Vietnam (Hai Phong)
  5. Aspidistra atroviolacea Tillich. Feddes Repert. 116(5-6): 317 (335-336; fig. 1i). (2005). Distribution: Vietnam (Thua Thien)
  6. Aspidistra attenuata Hayata. Ic. Pl. Formosan. 2. 145 (1912). Distribution: Taiwan
  7. Aspidistra austrosinensis Y. Wan & C . C. Huang. Guihaia, 7(3): 221 (1987). Distribution: China (Guangxi)
  8. Aspidistra bicolor Tillich. Feddes Repert. 116(5-6): 317 (335-337; figs. 1g, 2a-b). (2005). Distribution: Vietnam (Thai Nguyen)
  9. Aspidistra bogneri Tillich. Feddes Repert. 116(5-6): 317 (-318, 335-336; fig. 1e-f). (2005). Distribution: Vietnam (Ninh Binh)
  10. Aspidistra campanulata Tillich. Blumea 52 (2): 337 (2007). Vietnam (Tuyen Quang)
  11. Aspidistra caespitosa C. P'ei. Contrib. Biol. Lab. Sc. Soc. China, Bot. Ser. , 12. 101, fig. 4. (1939). Distribution: China (Sichuan)
  12. Aspidistra carinata Y. Wan & X. H. Lu. Bull. Bot. Res. , Harbin, 9(2): 97, fig. 1. (1989). Distribution: China (N Guangxi)
  13. Aspidistra carnosa Tillich. Feddes Repert. 116(5-6): 318 (335, 338; fig. 3h). (2005). Distribution: Vietnam (Lam Dong)
  14. Aspidistra cavicola D. Fang & K. C. Yen. Acta Phytotax. Sin. , 31(2): 180, fig. 1. (1993). Distribution: China (NW Guangxi)
  15. Aspidistra cerina G. Z. Li & S. C. Tang. Guihaia 22(4): 289, fig. 1. (2002). Distribution: China (Guangxi)
  16. Aspidistra claviformis Y. Wan. Bull. Bot. Res. North-East. Forest. Inst. , 4(4): 166 (1984). Distribution: China (W Guangxi)
  17. Aspidistra connata Tillich. Feddes Repert. 116(5-6): 318 (-319, 335, 337; fig. 2c-d). (2005). Distribution: Vietnam (Gialai-Kontum)
  18. Aspidistra cruciformis Y. Wan & X. H. Lu. Guihaia, 7(3): 217, fig. 1. (1987). Distribution: China (NW Guangxi)
  19. Aspidistra cryptantha Tillich. Blumea 52 (2): 338 (2007). Vietnam (Cao Bang)
  20. Aspidistra cyathiflora Y. Wan & C. C. Huang. Bull. Bot. Res. , Harbin. 9(2): 100, fig. 3. (1989). Distribution: China (Guangxi)
  21. Aspidistra daibuensis Hayata. Ic. Pl. Formosan. 9. 143 (1920). Distribution: Taiwan
  22. Aspidistra dodecandra (Gagnep. ) Tillich. Feddes Repert. 116(5-6): 323. (2005). Distribution: Indo-China
  23. Aspidistra dolichanthera X. X. Chen. Guihaia, 2(2): 77, fig. 1. (1982). Distribution: China (SW Guangxi)
  24. Aspidistra ebianensis K. Y. Lang & Z. Y. Zhu. Acta Phytotax. Sin. , 37(5): 492, fig. 13. (1999). Distribution: China (Sichuan)
  25. Aspidistra elatior Blume. Tijdschr. 1. 76. t. 4. (1834). Distribution: Japan (Osumi Islands)
  26. Aspidistra fasciaria G. Z. Li. Acta Phytotax. Sin. , 37(5): 484, fig. 13. (1999). Distribution: China (?Guangxi)
  27. Aspidistra fenghuangensis K. Y. Lang. Acta Phytotax. Sin. , 37(5): 494, fig. 13. (1999). Distribution: China (W Hunan)
  28. Aspidistra fimbriata F. T. Wang & K. Y. Lang. Acta Phytotax. Sin. , 16(1): 76, fig. 1. (1978). Distribution: China (Fujian, Guangdong, Hainan)
  29. Aspidistra flaviflora K. Y. Lang & Z. Y. Zhu. Acta Phytotax. Sin. , 20(4): 485, fig. 1. (1982). Distribution: China (SC Sichuan)
  30. Aspidistra foliosa Tillich. Feddes Repert. 116(5-6): 319 (335-336; fig. 1h). (2005). Distribution: Vietnam (Thua Thien)
  31. Aspidistra fungilliformis Y. Wan. Bull. Bot. Res. , Harbin. 4(4): 165, fig. 1. (1984). Distribution: China (W Guangxi)
  32. Aspidistra geastrum Tillich. Feddes Repert. 116(5-6): 319 (-320, 335, 337; fig. 2e-f). (2005). Distribution: Vietnam (Thua Thien)
  33. Aspidistra glandulosa (Gagnep. ) Tillich. Feddes Repert. 116(5-6): 323. (2005). Distribution: Laos (La Khon)
  34. Aspidistra grandiflora Tillich. Blumea 52 (2): 341 (2007). Vietnam (Hoa Binh)
  35. Aspidistra guangxiensis S. C. Tang & Y. Liu. Novon 13(4): 480, fig. 1. (2003). Distribution: China (Guangxi)
  36. Aspidistra hainanensis W. Y. Chun & F. C. How. Fl. Hainan. , 4: 533 (1977). Distribution: China (S Guangdong, EC Guangxi, S Hainan)
  37. Aspidistra hekouensis H. Li, C. L. Long & Bogner. Sendtnera 5: 15, fig. 1. (1998). Distribution: China (SE Yunnan)
  38. Aspidistra huanjiangensis G. Z. Li & Y. G. Wei. Acta Phytotax. Sin. 41(4): 384, fig. 2. (2003). Distribution: China (Gunangxi)
  39. Aspidistra insularis Tillich. Feddes Repert. 117(1-2): 145 (144; fig. 4). (2006). Distribution: Japan (Kuroshima Island)
  40. Aspidistra larutensis W. J. de Wilde & A. Vogel. Folia Malaysiana 6(3-4): 126 (125-130; figs. 1-5). (2005). Distribution: Malaysia (Perak)
  41. Aspidistra lateralis Tillich. Feddes Repert. 116(5-6): 320 (335, 338; fig. 3d). (2005). Distribution: Vietnam (Thua Thien)
  42. Aspidistra leshanensis K. Y. Lang & Z. Y. Zhu. Acta Bot. Yunnanica, 6(4): 385, fig. 1. (1984). Distribution: China (SC Sichuan)
  43. Aspidistra leyeensis Y. Wan & C. C. Huang. Guihaia, 7(3): 219, fig. 2. (1987). Distribution: China (NW Guangxi)
  44. Aspidistra linearifolia Y. Wan & C. C. Huang. Guihaia, 7(3): 220, fig. 3. (1987). Distribution: China (W Guangxi)
  45. Aspidistra lobata Tillich. Feddes Repert. 117(1-2): 141 (-142; fig. 2). (2006). Distribution: China (Sichuan)
  46. Aspidistra locii Arnautov & Bogner. Willdenowia 34(1): 203 (-208; figs. ). (2004). Distribution: Vietnam
  47. Aspidistra longanensis Y. Wan. Acta Phytotax. Sin. , 23(2): 151, fig. 1. (1985). Distribution: China (WC Guangxi)
  48. Aspidistra longifolia Hook. f. Fl. Brit Ind. 6. 326. (1892). Distribution: India
  49. Aspidistra longiloba G. Z. Li. Acta Phytotax. Sin. , 26(2): 156, fig. 1. (1988). Distribution: China (Guangxi)
  50. Aspidistra longipedunculata D. Fang. Guihaia, 2(2): 78, fig. 2. (1982). Distribution: China (SW Guangxi)
  51. Aspidistra longipetala S. Z. Huang. Guihaia, 6(4): 273, fig. 1. (1986). Distribution: China (C Guangxi)
  52. Aspidistra luodianensis D. D. Tao. Acta Phytotax. Geobot. , 43(2): 121, fig. 1 (1992). Distribution: China (NW Guangxi, S Guizhou)
  53. Aspidistra lurida Ker Gawl. Bot. Reg. 8. t. 628. (1822). Distribution: China (Guangdong, NC Guangxi, SC Guizhou)
  54. Aspidistra lutea Tillich. Feddes Repert. 116(5-6): 320 (-321, 335-336, 338; figs. 1k, 3c). (2005). Distribution: Vietnam (Son La)
  55. Aspidistra marasmioides Tillich. Feddes Repert. 116(5-6): 321 (335, 337; fig. 2h). (2005). Distribution: Vietnam (Hai Phong)
  56. Aspidistra marginella D. Fang & L. Zeng. Acta Phytotax. Sin. , 31(2): 182, fig. 1. (1993). Distribution: China (SW Guangxi)
  57. Aspidistra minutiflora Stapf. Journ. Linn. Soc. 36. 113. (1903). Distribution: China (N Guangdong, Guangxi, ?Guizhou, Hainan, Hong Kong, SW Hunan)
  58. Aspidistra molendinacea G. Z. Li & S. C. Tang. Guihaia 22(4): 290, fig. 3. (2002). Distribution: China (Guangzi)
  59. Aspidistra muricata F. C. How ex K. Y. Lang. Acta Phytotax. Sin. , 19(3): 383, fig. 1. (1981). Distribution: China (NC & W Guangxi)
  60. Aspidistra mushaensis Hayata. Ic. Pl. Formosan. 9. 144 (1920). Distribution: Taiwan
  61. Aspidistra nanchuanensis Tillich. Feddes Repert. 117(1-2): 139 (-141; fig. 1). (2006). Distribution: China (Sichuan)
  62. Aspidistra nicolai name not formally published. Distribution: Vietnam (Annamite Mts. )
  63. Aspidistra oblanceifolia F. T. Wang & K. Y. Lang. Acta Phytotax. Sin. , 20(4): 487, fig. 2 (1982). Distribution: China (S Guizhou, W Hubei, Sichuan)
  64. Aspidistra obliquipeltata D. Fang & L. Y. Yu. Acta Phytotax. Sin. 40(2): 162, fig. 1. (2002). Distribution: China (Guangxi)
  65. Aspidistra oblongifolia F. T. Wang & K. Y. Lang. Acta Phytotax. Sin. , 37(5): 476, fig. 13. (1999). Distribution: China (N Guangxi)
  66. Aspidistra omeiensis Z. Y. Zhu & J. L. Zhang. Acta Phytotax. Sin. , 19(3): 386, fig. 1. (1981). Distribution: China (Sichuan)
  67. Aspidistra opaca Tillich. Feddes Repert. 116(5-6): 321 (335, 337-338; figs. 2g, 3a). (2005). Distribution: Vietnam (Khanh Hoa)
  68. Aspidistra papillata G. Z. Li. Acta Phytotax. Sin. 41(4): 382, fig. 1. (2003). Distribution: China (Guangxi)
  69. Aspidistra patentiloba Y. Wan & X. H. Lu. Bull. Bot. Res. , Harbin. 9(2): 99, fig. 2. (1989). Distribution: China (C Guangxi)
  70. Aspidistra petiolata Tillich. Feddes Repert. 116(5-6): 321 (-322, 335, 338; fig. 3b, e). (2005). Distribution: Vietnam (Thua Thien)
  71. Aspidistra pileata D. Fang & L. Y. Yu. Acta Phytotax. Sin. 40(2): 159, fig. 1. (2002). Distribution: China (Guangxi)
  72. Aspidistra punctata Lindl. Bot. Reg. 12. t. 977. (1826). Distribution: China (Guandong, Hong Kong)
  73. Aspidistra quadripartita G. Z. Li & S. C. Tang. Guihaia 22(4): 289, fig. 2. (2002). Distribution: China (Guangxi)
  74. Aspidistra recondita Tillich. Blumea 52 (2): 341 (2007). (Vietnam but location not known)
  75. Aspidistra renatae Bräuchler. Blumea 50(3): 527 (-529; photos). (2005). Distribution: Vietnam (central)
  76. Aspidistra retusa K. Y. Lang & S. Z. Huang. Acta Phytotax. Sin. , 19(3): 379, fig. 1. (1981). Distribution: China (NE Guangxi)
  77. Aspidistra saxicola Y. Wan. Guihaia, 4(2): 129, fig. 1. (1984). Distribution: China (WC Guangxi)
  78. Aspidistra sichuanensis K. Y. Lang & Z. Y. Zhu. Acta Bot. Yunnanica, 6(4): 387, fig. 1. (1984). Distribution: China (Guangxi, Guizhou, W Hunan, Sichuan, Yunnan)
  79. Aspidistra spinula S. Z. He. Acta Phytotax. Sin. 40(4): 377, fig. 1. (2002). Distribution: China (Guizhou)
  80. Aspidistra stricta Tillich. Feddes Repert. 116(5-6): 322 (335, 338; fig. 3f-g). (2005). Distribution: Vietnam (Lam Dong)
  81. Aspidistra subrotata Y. Wan & C. C. Huang. Guihaia, 7(3): 223, fig. 5. (1987). Distribution: China (S & W Guangxi), Vietnam (Thai Nguyen)
  82. Aspidistra superba Tillich. Feddes Repert. 116(5-6): 323 (335, 338; fig. 3i,k). (2005). Distribution: Vietnam (Ninh Binh)
  83. Aspidistra sutepensis K. Larsen. Dansk Bot. Ark. 20(1). 41, fig. 1. (1961). Distribution: Vietnam (Paypa)
  84. Aspidistra tonkinensis (Gagnep. ) F. T. Wang & K. Y. Lang. Acta Phytotax. Sin. , 16(1): 77 (1978) & Fl. Reipubl. Popul. Sin. , 15: 19 (1978). Distribution: China (NW Guangxi, S Guizhou, SE Yunnan), Vietnam
  85. Aspidistra triloba F. T. Wang & K. Y. Lang. Acta Phytotax. Sin. , 19(3): 380, fig. 1. (1981). Distribution: China (SC Hunan, W Jiangxi)
  86. Aspidistra tubiflora Tillich. Feddes Repert. 117(1-2): 141 (143, 145; fig. 3). (2006). Distribution: China (Sichuan)
  87. Aspidistra typica Baill. Bull. Soc. Linn. Paris, 2. 1129. (1894). Distribution: China (SW Guangxi, SE Yunnan), Vietnam
  88. Aspidistra umbrosa Tillich. Blumea 52 (2): 342 341 (2007). (Vietnam but location not known)
  89. Aspidistra urceolata F. T. Wang & K. Y. Lang. Acta Phytotax. Sin. , 19(3): 381, fig. 1. (1981). Distribution: China (Guizhou)
  90. Aspidistra xilinensis Y. Wan & X. H. Lu. Acta Phytotax. Sin. , 25(5): 397, fig. 1. (1987). Distribution: China (NW Guangxi)
  91. Aspidistra yingjiangensis L. J. Peng. Acta Bot. Yunnanica, 11(2): 173, fig. 1. (1989). Distribution: China (W Yunnan)
  92. Aspidistra zongbayi K. Y. Lang & Z. Y. Zhu. Acta Phytotax. Sin. , 20(4): 486, fig. 1. (1982). Distribution: China (Sichuan)

Notes:

A. longifolia from India and A. sutepensis from Thailand are very poorly described in the literature.

A. kouytchensis = A. lurida.

A. bimoda = A. fungilliformis.

A. nicolai, and another sp. from Vietnam await formal description.

Cultivation, uses and popular culture

Aspidistra elatior ("cast-iron plant") is a popular foliage houseplant, grown for its ability to survive neglect and very shady indoor conditions.

George Orwell satirized it for being popular among middle-class England in his novel Keep the Aspidistra Flying (1936). Eric Arthur Blair (25 June 1903 – 21 January 1950 who used the Pseudonym George Orwell, was an English writer Keep the Aspidistra Flying, first published 1936 is a grimly comic Novel by George Orwell. A few years earlier, Dorothy Sayers included in her detective book "Unnatural Death" (Ch. Dorothy Leigh Sayers ( IPA: usually pronounced /ˈseɪɜrz/ although Sayers herself preferred /ˈsɛːz/ and encouraged the use of her middle initial to facilitate this Unnatural death is a category used by Coroners and Vital statistics specialists for classifying all human deaths not properly describable as Death by natural causes 5) the following sentence: "It really is horrible, living in a small town like this, so full of aspidistras and small gossip". British singer Gracie Fields also helped make the plant popular in her song, "The Biggest Aspidistra In The World. Dame Gracie Fields, DBE ( January 9 1898 &ndash September 27 1979) born Grace Stansfield, was an English / "

Dictionary

aspidistra

-noun

  1. any of several Asian plants, of the genus Aspidistra, having large leaves and small bell-shaped flowers; widely cultivated as a houseplant
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