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Aspidistra
Aspidistra elatior
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Monocots Order: Asparagales Family: Ruscaceae Genus: Aspidistra Ker Gawl.
Species
More than 90, See text.

For other meanings, see Aspidistra (disambiguation).

Aspidistra species inhabit the floors of east Asian forests from eastern India, Indochina, China and Japan. Aspidistra is a genus 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. Most books state that there are 8 to 10 species, which unfortunately represents what was known only through the late 1970s. 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. The biodiversity 'hotspot' of the genus seems to be Guangxi Province, from where no less than 39 species have been described. New species are still being found, and the focus has shifted to Vietnam, from where 28 new species have recently been described; it is known that there are many more Vietnamese species. Currently 93 Aspidistra species have been formally described, and it has been speculated that there may be 200 to 300 (Tillich 2008).

It has long been erroneously assumed that slugs and snails pollinate Aspidistra flowers. Research in Japan has shown that tiny terrestrial crustaceans called amphipods are responsible for pollinating Aspidistra elatior. Australian amphipods have also been shown to pollinate introduced Aspidistra sp. and collembolans may also be implicated. Fungus gnats have also been suggested as possible pollinators.

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 brachystyla L. V. Averyanov & H.-J. Tillich, Feddes Repertorium 119 (1 - 2): 37 (2008). Distribution: Vietnam
11. Aspidistra campanulata Tillich. Blumea 52 (2): 337 (2007). Vietnam (Tuyen Quang)
12. Aspidistra caespitosa C. P'ei. Contrib. Biol. Lab. Sc. Soc. China, Bot. Ser., 12. 101, fig. 4. (1939). Distribution: China (Sichuan)
13. Aspidistra carinata Y. Wan & X. H. Lu. Bull. Bot. Res., Harbin, 9(2): 97, fig. 1. (1989). Distribution: China (N Guangxi)
14. Aspidistra carnosa Tillich. Feddes Repert. 116(5-6): 318 (335, 338; fig. 3h). (2005). Distribution: Vietnam (Lam Dong)
15. Aspidistra cavicola D. Fang & K. C. Yen. Acta Phytotax. Sin., 31(2): 180, fig. 1. (1993). Distribution: China (NW Guangxi)
16. Aspidistra cerina G. Z. Li & S. C. Tang. Guihaia 22(4): 289, fig. 1. (2002). Distribution: China (Guangxi)
17. Aspidistra claviformis Y. Wan. Bull. Bot. Res. North-East. Forest. Inst., 4(4): 166 (1984). Distribution: China (W Guangxi)
18. Aspidistra connata Tillich. Feddes Repert. 116(5-6): 318 (-319, 335, 337; fig. 2c-d). (2005). Distribution: Vietnam (Gialai-Kontum)
19. Aspidistra cruciformis Y. Wan & X. H. Lu. Guihaia, 7(3): 217, fig. 1. (1987). Distribution: China (NW Guangxi)
20. Aspidistra cryptantha Tillich. Blumea 52 (2): 338 (2007). Vietnam (Cao Bang)
21. Aspidistra cyathiflora Y. Wan & C. C. Huang. Bull. Bot. Res., Harbin. 9(2): 100, fig. 3. (1989). Distribution: China (Guangxi)
22. Aspidistra daibuensis Hayata. Ic. Pl. Formosan. 9. 143 (1920). Distribution: Taiwan
23. Aspidistra dodecandra (Gagnep.) Tillich. Feddes Repert. 116(5-6): 323. (2005). Distribution: Indo-China
24. Aspidistra dolichanthera X. X. Chen. Guihaia, 2(2): 77, fig. 1. (1982). Distribution: China (SW Guangxi)
25. Aspidistra ebianensis K. Y. Lang & Z. Y. Zhu. Acta Phytotax. Sin., 37(5): 492, fig. 13. (1999). Distribution: China (Sichuan)
26. Aspidistra elatior Blume. Tijdschr. 1. 76. t. 4. (1834). Distribution: Japan (Osumi Islands)
27. Aspidistra fasciaria G. Z. Li. Acta Phytotax. Sin., 37(5): 484, fig. 13. (1999). Distribution: China (?Guangxi)
28. Aspidistra fenghuangensis K. Y. Lang. Acta Phytotax. Sin., 37(5): 494, fig. 13. (1999). Distribution: China (W Hunan)
29. Aspidistra fimbriata F. T. Wang & K. Y. Lang. Acta Phytotax. Sin., 16(1): 76, fig. 1. (1978). Distribution: China (Fujian, Guangdong, Hainan)
30. Aspidistra flaviflora K. Y. Lang & Z. Y. Zhu. Acta Phytotax. Sin., 20(4): 485, fig. 1. (1982). Distribution: China (SC Sichuan)
31. Aspidistra foliosa Tillich. Feddes Repert. 116(5-6): 319 (335-336; fig. 1h). (2005). Distribution: Vietnam (Thua Thien)
32. Aspidistra fungilliformis Y. Wan. Bull. Bot. Res., Harbin. 4(4): 165, fig. 1. (1984). Distribution: China (W Guangxi)
33. Aspidistra geastrum Tillich. Feddes Repert. 116(5-6): 319 (-320, 335, 337; fig. 2e-f). (2005). Distribution: Vietnam (Thua Thien)
34. Aspidistra glandulosa (Gagnep.) Tillich. Feddes Repert. 116(5-6): 323. (2005). Distribution: Laos (La Khon)
35. Aspidistra grandiflora Tillich. Blumea 52 (2): 341 (2007). Vietnam (Hoa Binh)
36. Aspidistra guangxiensis S. C. Tang & Y. Liu. Novon 13(4): 480, fig. 1. (2003). Distribution: China (Guangxi)
37. Aspidistra hainanensis W. Y. Chun & F. C. How. Fl. Hainan., 4: 533 (1977). Distribution: China (S Guangdong, EC Guangxi, S Hainan)
38. Aspidistra hekouensis H. Li, C. L. Long & Bogner. Sendtnera 5: 15, fig. 1. (1998). Distribution: China (SE Yunnan)
39. Aspidistra huanjiangensis G. Z. Li & Y. G. Wei. Acta Phytotax. Sin. 41(4): 384, fig. 2. (2003). Distribution: China (Gunangxi)
40. Aspidistra insularis Tillich. Feddes Repert. 117(1-2): 145 (144; fig. 4). (2006). Distribution: Japan (Kuroshima Island)
41. Aspidistra larutensis W. J. de Wilde & A. Vogel. Folia Malaysiana 6(3-4): 126 (125-130; figs. 1-5). (2005). Distribution: Malaysia (Perak)
42. Aspidistra lateralis Tillich. Feddes Repert. 116(5-6): 320 (335, 338; fig. 3d). (2005). Distribution: Vietnam (Thua Thien)
43. Aspidistra leshanensis K. Y. Lang & Z. Y. Zhu. Acta Bot. Yunnanica, 6(4): 385, fig. 1. (1984). Distribution: China (SC Sichuan)
44. Aspidistra leyeensis Y. Wan & C. C. Huang. Guihaia, 7(3): 219, fig. 2. (1987). Distribution: China (NW Guangxi)
45. Aspidistra linearifolia Y. Wan & C. C. Huang. Guihaia, 7(3): 220, fig. 3. (1987). Distribution: China (W Guangxi)
46. Aspidistra lobata Tillich. Feddes Repert. 117(1-2): 141 (-142; fig. 2). (2006). Distribution: China (Sichuan)
47. Aspidistra locii Arnautov & Bogner. Willdenowia 34(1): 203 (-208; figs.). (2004). Distribution: Vietnam
48. Aspidistra longanensis Y. Wan. Acta Phytotax. Sin., 23(2): 151, fig. 1. (1985). Distribution: China (WC Guangxi)
49. Aspidistra longifolia Hook.f. Fl. Brit Ind. 6. 326. (1892). Distribution: India
50. Aspidistra longiloba G. Z. Li. Acta Phytotax. Sin., 26(2): 156, fig. 1. (1988). Distribution: China (Guangxi)
51. Aspidistra longipedunculata D. Fang. Guihaia, 2(2): 78, fig. 2. (1982). Distribution: China (SW Guangxi)
52. Aspidistra longipetala S. Z. Huang. Guihaia, 6(4): 273, fig. 1. (1986). Distribution: China (C Guangxi)
53. Aspidistra luodianensis D. D. Tao. Acta Phytotax. Geobot., 43(2): 121, fig. 1 (1992). Distribution: China (NW Guangxi, S Guizhou)
54. Aspidistra lurida Ker Gawl. Bot. Reg. 8. t. 628. (1822). Distribution: China (Guangdong, NC Guangxi, SC Guizhou)
55. Aspidistra lutea Tillich. Feddes Repert. 116(5-6): 320 (-321, 335-336, 338; figs. 1k, 3c). (2005). Distribution: Vietnam (Son La)
56. Aspidistra marasmioides Tillich. Feddes Repert. 116(5-6): 321 (335, 337; fig. 2h). (2005). Distribution: Vietnam (Hai Phong)
57. Aspidistra marginella D. Fang & L. Zeng. Acta Phytotax. Sin., 31(2): 182, fig. 1. (1993). Distribution: China (SW Guangxi)
58. Aspidistra minutiflora Stapf. Journ. Linn. Soc. 36. 113. (1903). Distribution: China (N Guangdong, Guangxi, ?Guizhou, Hainan, Hong Kong, SW Hunan)
59. Aspidistra molendinacea G. Z. Li & S. C. Tang. Guihaia 22(4): 290, fig. 3. (2002). Distribution: China (Guangzi)
60. Aspidistra muricata F. C. How ex K. Y. Lang. Acta Phytotax. Sin., 19(3): 383, fig. 1. (1981). Distribution: China (NC & W Guangxi)
61. Aspidistra mushaensis Hayata. Ic. Pl. Formosan. 9. 144 (1920). Distribution: Taiwan
62. Aspidistra nanchuanensis Tillich. Feddes Repert. 117(1-2): 139 (-141; fig. 1). (2006). Distribution: China (Sichuan)
63. Aspidistra nikolai L. V. Averyanov & H.-J. Tillich, Feddes Repertorium 119 (1 - 2): 37 (2008). Distribution: Vietnam (Annamite Mts.)
64. Aspidistra oblanceifolia F. T. Wang & K. Y. Lang. Acta Phytotax. Sin., 20(4): 487, fig. 2 (1982). Distribution: China (S Guizhou, W Hubei, Sichuan)
65. Aspidistra obliquipeltata D. Fang & L. Y. Yu. Acta Phytotax. Sin. 40(2): 162, fig. 1. (2002). Distribution: China (Guangxi)
66. Aspidistra oblongifolia F. T. Wang & K. Y. Lang. Acta Phytotax. Sin., 37(5): 476, fig. 13. (1999). Distribution: China (N Guangxi)
67. Aspidistra omeiensis Z. Y. Zhu & J. L. Zhang. Acta Phytotax. Sin., 19(3): 386, fig. 1. (1981). Distribution: China (Sichuan)
68. Aspidistra opaca Tillich. Feddes Repert. 116(5-6): 321 (335, 337-338; figs. 2g, 3a). (2005). Distribution: Vietnam (Khanh Hoa)
69. Aspidistra papillata G. Z. Li. Acta Phytotax. Sin. 41(4): 382, fig. 1. (2003). Distribution: China (Guangxi)
70. Aspidistra patentiloba Y. Wan & X. H. Lu. Bull. Bot. Res., Harbin. 9(2): 99, fig. 2. (1989). Distribution: China (C Guangxi)
71. Aspidistra petiolata Tillich. Feddes Repert. 116(5-6): 321 (-322, 335, 338; fig. 3b, e). (2005). Distribution: Vietnam (Thua Thien)
72. Aspidistra pileata D. Fang & L. Y. Yu. Acta Phytotax. Sin. 40(2): 159, fig. 1. (2002). Distribution: China (Guangxi)
73. Aspidistra punctata Lindl. Bot. Reg. 12. t. 977. (1826). Distribution: China (Guandong, Hong Kong)
74. Aspidistra quadripartita G. Z. Li & S. C. Tang. Guihaia 22(4): 289, fig. 2. (2002). Distribution: China (Guangxi)
75. Aspidistra recondita Tillich. Blumea 52 (2): 341 (2007). (Vietnam but location not known)
76. Aspidistra renatae Bräuchler. Blumea 50(3): 527 (-529; photos). (2005). Distribution: Vietnam (central)
77. Aspidistra retusa K. Y. Lang & S. Z. Huang. Acta Phytotax. Sin., 19(3): 379, fig. 1. (1981). Distribution: China (NE Guangxi)
78. Aspidistra saxicola Y.Wan. Guihaia, 4(2): 129, fig. 1. (1984). Distribution: China (WC Guangxi)
79. 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)
80. Aspidistra spinula S. Z. He. Acta Phytotax. Sin. 40(4): 377, fig. 1. (2002). Distribution: China (Guizhou)
81. Aspidistra stricta Tillich. Feddes Repert. 116(5-6): 322 (335, 338; fig. 3f-g). (2005). Distribution: Vietnam (Lam Dong)
82. Aspidistra subrotata Y. Wan & C. C. Huang. Guihaia, 7(3): 223, fig. 5. (1987). Distribution: China (S & W Guangxi), Vietnam (Thai Nguyen)
83. Aspidistra superba Tillich. Feddes Repert. 116(5-6): 323 (335, 338; fig. 3i,k). (2005). Distribution: Vietnam (Ninh Binh)
84. Aspidistra sutepensis K. Larsen. Dansk Bot. Ark. 20(1). 41, fig. 1. (1961). Distribution: Vietnam (Paypa)
85. 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
86. Aspidistra triloba F. T. Wang & K. Y. Lang. Acta Phytotax. Sin., 19(3): 380, fig. 1. (1981). Distribution: China (SC Hunan, W Jiangxi)
87. Aspidistra tubiflora Tillich. Feddes Repert. 117(1-2): 141 (143, 145; fig. 3). (2006). Distribution: China (Sichuan)
88. Aspidistra typica Baill. Bull. Soc. Linn. Paris, 2. 1129. (1894). Distribution: China (SW Guangxi, SE Yunnan), Vietnam
89. Aspidistra umbrosa Tillich. Blumea 52 (2): 342 341 (2007). (Vietnam but location not known)
90. Aspidistra urceolata F. T. Wang & K. Y. Lang. Acta Phytotax. Sin., 19(3): 381, fig. 1. (1981). Distribution: China (Guizhou)
91. Aspidistra xilinensis Y. Wan & X. H. Lu. Acta Phytotax. Sin., 25(5): 397, fig. 1. (1987). Distribution: China (NW Guangxi)
92. Aspidistra yingjiangensis L. J. Peng. Acta Bot. Yunnanica, 11(2): 173, fig. 1. (1989). Distribution: China (W Yunnan)
93. 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. attenuata, A. daibuensis and A. mushaensis from Taiwan are poorly described in the literature.

A. kouytchensis = A. lurida.

A. bimoda = A. fungilliformis.

Cultivation and uses

Aspidistra elatior ("cast-iron plant") is a popular foliage houseplant, grown for its ability to survive neglect and very shady indoor conditions. In George Orwell's novel Keep the Aspidistra Flying, the plant serves as a symbol of domestic London life and the main character's desire to avoid it at all costs.

References

H.-J. Tillich, An updated and improved determination key for Aspidistra Ker-Gawl. (Ruscaceae, Monocotyledons) Feddes Repertorium 119(5 - 6): 449 - 462 (2008).

External links

Constantine, D. R. (1999): Aspidistra - an annotated list of the species and cultivars [1]

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• This page was last modified on 13 November 2008, at 00:14.

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