Hosta

Hosta (/ˈhɒstə/,[5] syn. Funkia) is a genus of plants commonly known as hostas, plantain lilies and occasionally by the Japanese name giboshi. Hostas are widely cultivated as shade-tolerant foliage plants. The genus is currently placed in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Agavoideae,[6] and is native to northeast Asia (China, Japan, Korea, and the Russian Far East).[2] Like many "lilioid monocots", the genus was once classified in the Liliaceae. The genus was named by Austrian botanist Leopold Trattinnick in 1812,[7] in honor of the Austrian botanist Nicholas Thomas Host.[8] In 1817, the generic name Funkia was used by German botanist Kurt Sprengel in honor of Heinrich Funk, a collector of ferns and alpines;[9] this was later used as a common name and can be found in some older literature.

For other uses, see Hosta (disambiguation).

Hosta
Hosta Bressingham Blue, a Hosta cultivar
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Agavoideae
Genus: Hosta
Tratt., conserved name, not Jacq. (syn of Cornutia in Lamiaceae) nor Vell. ex Pfeiff. (Primulaceae)[1]
Synonyms[2]
Hosta sieboldiana by Abraham Jacobus Wendel, 1868

Description

Hostas are herbaceous perennial plants, growing from rhizomes or stolons,[10] with broad lanceolate or ovate leaves varying widely in size by species from 1–18 in (3–45 cm) long and 0.75–12 in (2–30 cm) broad. The smallest varieties are called miniatures. Variation among the numerous cultivars is even greater, with clumps ranging from less than four in (10 cm) across and three in (8 cm) high to more than six ft (200 cm) across and four ft (130 cm) high. Leaf color in wild species is typically green, although some species (e.g., H. sieboldiana) are known for a glaucous waxy leaf coating that gives a blue appearance to the leaf. Some species have a glaucous white coating covering the underside of the leaves. Natural mutations of native species are known with yellow-green ("gold") colored leaves or with leaf variegation (either white/cream or yellowish edges or centers). Variegated plants very often give rise to sports that are the result of the reshuffling of cell layers during bud formation, producing foliage with mixed pigment sections. In seedlings variegation is generally maternally derived by chloroplast transfer and is not a genetically inheritable trait.

The flowers of hosta are produced on upright scapes that are woody and remain on the plant throughout winter, they are generally taller than the leaf mound, and end in terminal racemes.[11] The individual flowers are usually pendulous, 0.75–2 in (2–5 cm) long, with six tepals,[12] white, lavender, or violet in color and usually scentless. The only strongly fragrant species is Hosta plantaginea, which has white flowers up to four in (10 cm) long; it is also unusual in that the flowers open in the evening and close by morning. This species blooms in late summer and is sometimes known as "August Lily".

Taxonomy

Taxonomists differ on the number of Hosta species; there may be as many as 45.[13] Accordingly, the list of species given here may be taken loosely. The genus may be broadly divided into three subgenera. Interspecific hybridization occurs since all the species have the same chromosome number (2n = 2x = 60); except H. ventricosa which is a natural tetraploid that sets seed through apomixis. Many cultivated hostas formerly described as species have been reduced to cultivars; these often have their names conserved, and retain Latinized names which resemble species names (e.g., Hosta 'Fortunei').

Accepted species[2] as of October 2014:

ImageScientific nameDistribution
Hosta albofarinosaAnhui
Hosta capitataJapan, Korea
Hosta clausaKorea, Manchuria, Primorye
Hosta gracillimaShikoku
Hosta hypoleucaHonshu
Hosta jonesiiKorean Islands
Hosta kikutiiJapan
Hosta kiyosumiensisHonshu
Hosta longipesJapan, Korea
Hosta longissimaJapan, Korea
Hosta minorKyushu, Korea
Hosta plantagineaChina
Hosta pulchellaKyushu
Hosta pycnophyllaHonshu
Hosta rectifoliaSakhalin, Kuril, Japan
Hosta rupifragaHachijo-jima
Hosta shikokianaShikoku
Hosta sieboldianaJapan, Korea
Hosta sieboldiiJapan
Hosta tsushimensisKyushu
Hosta ventricosaS China
Hosta venustaJeju-do, Japan
Hosta yingeriKorean Islands


  1. Hosta × alismifolia - Honshu

Cultivation
Hosta

Hostas are widely cultivated, being particularly useful in the garden as shade-tolerant plants whose striking foliage provides a focal point. The plants are long-lived perennials that are winter hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 8 and recommended for heat zones 8 to 1.[14] Though Hosta plantaginea originates in China, most of the species that provide the modern plants were introduced from Japan to Europe by Philipp Franz von Siebold in the mid-19th century originating from shady locations with more moisture than they are generally cultivated.[15] Newer species have been discovered on the Korean peninsula as well. Hybridization within and among species and cultivars has produced numerous cultivars, with over 6,100 registered and named varieties, and perhaps as many more that are not yet registered with the American Hosta Society. Cultivars with golden- or white-variegated leaves are especially prized. Popular cultivars include 'Francee' (green leaves with white edges), 'Gold Standard' (yellow leaves with green edges, discovered by Pauline Banyai) 'Undulata' (green leaves with white centers), 'June' (blue-green leaves with creamy centers), and 'Sum and Substance' (a huge plant with chartreuse-yellow leaves). Newer, fragrant cultivars such as 'Guacamole' are also popular.

The American Hosta Society[16] and the British Hosta and Hemerocallis Society[17] support Hosta Display Gardens, often within botanical gardens. Hostas are frequently exhibited at major shows such as the Chelsea Flower Show.

Cultivars

The following is a list of cultivars that have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

  • ‘Allegan Fog’[18]
  • 'Aureomarginata' (ventricosa)[19]
  • 'Blue Angel' (sieboldiana)[20]
  • ’Blue Mouse Ears’[21]
  • ‘Christmas Tree’[22]
  • ’Cracker Crumbs’[23]
  • ’Devon Green’[24]
  • ‘El Niño’ (Tardiana Group)[25]
  • ‘Fire Island’[26]
  • ’First Frost’[27]
  • 'Francee' (fortunei)[28]
  • 'Frances Williams'[29]
  • 'Golden Tiara'[30]
  • 'Halcyon' (tardiana)[31]
  • H. fortunei var. aureomarginata[32]
  • H. plantaginea var. japonica[33]
  • H. sieboldiana var. elegans[34]
  • H. undulata var. undulata[35]
  • H. ventricosa[36]
  • H. venusta[37]
  • 'June' (tardiana)[38]
  • 'Krossa Regal'[39]
  • ’Liberty’[40]
  • ’Orange Marmalade’[41]
  • ’Paradise Puppet’[42]
  • ’Patriot’[43]
  • ’Paul’s Glory’[44]
  • ’Praying Hands’[45]
  • ’Revolution’[46]
  • 'Royal Standard'[47]
  • 'Sagae'[48]
  • ’Shining Tot’[49]
  • ’Stained Glass’[50]
  • 'Sum and Substance'[51]
  • ’Touch of Class’[52]
  • ’Whirlwind’[53]
  • 'Wide Brim'[54]

Toxicity

While usually grown for ornamental purposes in the United States, all species of hosta are edible, and are commonly grown as vegetables in some Asian cultures.[55]

However, hostas are toxic to dogs, cats, and horses due to the saponins contained in the plant. Symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea.[56]

Pests and diseases
Hosta with virus X.

Hosta leaves and stems are eaten by deer, rabbits, slugs and snails, and the roots and rhizomes are eaten by voles, all of these can cause extensive damage to collections in gardens. Some varieties seem more resistant to slug damage, which is more prevalent later in the growing season, than others. Insect pests include Vine weevils and cutworms.[57]

Foliar nematodes, which leave streaks of dead tissue between veins, have become an increasing problem where pesticide use has decreased.

A potexvirus called 'Hosta Virus X' was first identified in Minnesota, USA in 1996. Plants that are infected are destroyed to prevent its spread as the disease can be transmitted from plant to plant by contaminated sap. Symptoms include dark green "ink bleed" marks in the veins of yellow-colored leaves, and/or tissue collapse between veins. It can take years for symptoms to show, so symptomless plants in infected batches should also be considered infected.[58][59]

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References
  1. Tropicos, search for Hosta
  2. Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  3. "Tropicos - Name Search".
  4. Tropicos, search for Libertia
  5. Sunset Western Garden Book, 1995:606–607
  6. Stevens, P.F., Angiosperm Phylogeny Website: Asparagales: Agavoideae
  7. Diana Wells 100 Flowers and How They Got Their Names, p. 96, at Google Books
  8. Mikolajski, A. (1997). Hostas - The New Plant Library, Canada: Lorenz Books. ISBN 1-85967-388-0
  9. "Hostas - taxonomy". hostas.fr. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
  10. "Hosta in Flora of North America @ efloras.org".
  11. Wolfram George Schmid (1991). The Genus Hosta. Timber Press. p. 393. ISBN 978-0-88192-201-1.
  12. Klaus Kubitzki (27 August 1998). Flowering Plants. Monocotyledons: Lilianae (except Orchidaceae). Springer Science & Business Media. pp. 256–. ISBN 978-3-540-64060-8.
  13. "Hosta in Flora of China @ efloras.org".
  14. Jim Wilson (1 October 1999). Bulletproof Flowers for the South. Taylor Trade Publishing. pp. 77–. ISBN 978-1-4617-0855-1.
  15. Diana Grenfell; Michael Shadrack (23 January 2010). The New Encyclopedia of Hostas. Timber Press. pp. 14–. ISBN 978-0-88192-960-7.
  16. "American Hosta Society (AHS)".
  17. "HOME page of the British Hosta and Hemerocallis Society".
  18. "RHS Plantfinder - Hosta 'Allegan Fog'". Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  19. "RHS Plant Selector - Hosta 'Aureomarginata' (ventricosa)". Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  20. "RHS Plant Selector - Hosta 'Blue Angel' (sieboldiana)". Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  21. "RHS Plantfinder - Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears'". Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  22. "RHS Plantfinder - Hosta 'Christmas Tree'". Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  23. "RHS Plantfinder - Hosta 'Cracker Crumbs'". Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  24. "RHS Plantfinder - Hosta 'Devon Green'". Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  25. "RHS Plantfinder - Hosta 'El Niño'". Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  26. "RHS Plantfinder - Hosta 'Fire Island'". Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  27. "RHS Plantfinder - Hosta 'First Frost'". Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  28. "RHS Plant Selector - Hosta' 'Francee' (fortunei)". Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  29. "Hosta 'Frances Williams' (sieboldiana) (v)".
  30. "RHS Plant Selector - Hosta 'Golden Tiara'". Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  31. "RHS Plant Selector - Hosta (Tardiana Group) 'Halcyon'". Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  32. "RHS Plant Selector - Hosta fortunei var. aureomarginata". Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  33. "RHS Plant Selector - Hosta plantaginea var. japonica". Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  34. "RHS Plant Selector - Hosta sieboldiana var. elegans". Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  35. "RHS Plant Selector - Hosta undulata var. undulata". Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  36. "RHS Plant Selector - Hosta ventricosa". Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  37. "RHS Plant Selector - Hosta venusta". Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  38. "RHS Plant Selector - Hosta (Tardiana Group) 'June'". Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  39. "RHS Plant Selector - Hosta 'Krosse Regal'". Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  40. "RHS Plantfinder - Hosta 'Liberty'". Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  41. "RHS Plantfinder - Hosta 'Orange Marmalade'". Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  42. "RHS Plantfinder - Hosta 'Paradise Puppet'". Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  43. "RHS Plantfinder - Hosta 'Patriot'". Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  44. "RHS Plantfinder - Hosta 'Paul's Glory'". Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  45. "RHS Plantfinder - Hosta 'Praying Hands'". Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  46. "RHS Plantfinder - Hosta 'Revolution'". Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  47. "RHS Plant Selector - Hosta 'Royal Standard'". Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  48. "RHS Plant Selector - Hosta 'Sagae'". Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  49. "RHS Plantfinder - Hosta 'Shining Tot'". Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  50. "RHS Plantfinder - Hosta 'Stained Glass'". Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  51. "RHS Plant Selector - Hosta 'Sum and Substance'". Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  52. "RHS Plantfinder - Hosta 'Touch of Class'". Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  53. "RHS Plantfinder - Hosta 'Whirlwind'". Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  54. "RHS Plant Selector - Hosta 'Wide Brim'". Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  55. "Bacon-Wrapped Hosta?". Star Tribune. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  56. "Hosta". American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  57. Diana Grenfell; Michael Shadrack (2009). The New Encyclopedia of Hostas. Timber Press. pp. 46–. ISBN 978-0-88192-960-7.
  58. "Hosta virus X (Potexvirus)". eppo.int (European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization). Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  59. Lewandowski, Dennis J. (2008). "Hosta Virus X" (PDF). The Ohio State University. pp. 1–3. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
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