Aspidistra

Taxobox
name = "Aspidistra"

---

image_width = 250px
image_caption = "Aspidistra elatior"
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Liliopsida
ordo = Asparagales
familia = Ruscaceae
genus = "Aspidistra"
genus_authority = Ker Gawl.
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = 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 25 new species have recently been described with two more awaiting formal description. 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. 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

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

External links

aut|Constantine, D. R. (1999): Aspidistra - an annotated list of the species and cultivars [http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~drc/aspidistra_home.htm]