Aspidistra elatior

Aspidistra elatior, the cast-iron-plant[3] or bar-room plant, also known in Japanese as haran or baran (葉蘭)[4] is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to Japan and Taiwan. Tolerant of neglect, it is widely cultivated as a houseplant, but can also be grown outside in shade where temperatures remain above −5 °C (23 °F). It is used as training material for the seika form of ikebana.

Aspidistra elatior
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Nolinoideae
Genus: Aspidistra
Species:
A. elatior
Binomial name
Aspidistra elatior
Synonyms[2]
  • Aspidistra attenuata Hayata
  • Aspidistra variegata (Link) Regel
  • Plectogyne variegata Link
Flower

Description

Growing to 60 cm (24 in) tall and wide, it is an evergreen rhizomatous perennial, with glossy dark green leaves 30–50 cm (12–20 in) long, and fleshy, 8-lobed cream flowers with maroon colouring on the inner surface, borne in early summer.[5]

Pollination

According to a study published in 2018, A. elatior appears to be mainly pollinated by fungus gnats (Cordyla sixi and Bradysia spp.).[6]

Distribution

Although sometimes thought to be of Chinese origin,[7] the species is in fact native to Taiwan[1] and islands in southern Japan including Kuroshima,[8] Suwanosejima[9] and the Uji Islands.[10] It occurs in association with overstorey species such as Ardisia sieboldii and Castanopsis sieboldii.[7]

Cultivation

A. elatior is well known in cultivation and has a reputation for withstanding neglect, giving rise to its common name of cast-iron plant. It is tolerant of low light, low humidity, temperature fluctuation and irregular watering. It is best situated in a position away from direct sun to avoid leaf bleaching. Good drainage is also required for optimal growth and to avoid root rot.[11] Widely grown as a house plant, it can also be grown successfully outdoors in shade in temperate climates, where plants 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.[12]

The species is not seriously troubled by insects, but mites and scale may cause occasional problems. Its leaves and roots may be subject to browsing by hoofed mammals such as deer, as well as rodents and rabbits.[11]

This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[13]

A number of cultivars are available, including:[12]

  • 'Asahi' (meaning "morning sun" in Japanese) – the leaves open chocolate brown, turning green from the base upwards
  • 'Hoshi-zora' (meaning "starry sky" in Japanese) – large, faintly speckled leaves
  • 'Lennon's Song' – long narrow ends to the leaves and a central paler green stripe (discovered by an American grower of cut foliage, Robin Lennon)
  • 'Variegata' – with white stripes running along the length of the leaf; has also won the AGM[14]

A. elatior 'Milky Way' is properly A. lurida 'Ginga'.[12]

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References
  1. "Aspidistra elator". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2013-07-22.
  2. The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species, retrieved 2 October 2015
  3. "BSBI List 2007". Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-01-25. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  4. "Aspidistra elatior". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  5. RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
  6. Suetsugu, Kenji; Sueyoshi, Masahiro (2018-01-01). "Subterranean flowers of Aspidistra elatior are mainly pollinated by not terrestrial amphipods but fungus gnats" (PDF). Ecology. 99 (1): 244–246. doi:10.1002/ecy.2021. ISSN 1939-9170. PMID 29136275.
  7. "Aspidistra elatior". Flora of China. Retrieved 2009-02-19.
  8. Sako, Shizuo; Katsutoshi Maruno (March 1983). "Flora of Island Kuroshima, Pref. Kagoshima, Kyushu" (PDF). Bulletin of the Kagoshima University Forest. 11: 33–61. ISSN 0389-9454. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2009-02-20.
  9. Sako, Shizuo; Hidenobu Kirino (March 1980). "Flora of Isl. Suwanose-jima, Isls. Tokara, Ryukyus" (PDF). Bulletin of the Kagoshima University Forest. 8: 19–53. ISSN 0389-9454. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2009-02-20.
  10. Sako, Shizuo; et al. (March 1988). "Flora of the Uji Isls., Kagoshima Pref., Kyushu" (PDF). Bulletin of the Kagoshima University Forest. 16: 83–108. ISSN 0389-9454. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2009-02-20.
  11. "Aspidistra elatior". PlantFinder. Missouri Botanical Garden. Archived from the original on 4 March 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-19.
  12. Brown, Bob (2013). "High Flying Aspidistras". The Garden. 138 (1): 62–65.
  13. "RHS Plant Selector - Aspidistra elatior". Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  14. "Aspidistra elatior 'Variegata'". RHS. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
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