Aspidistra
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 Aspidistra elatior
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Aspidistra is a genus of seven species of herbaceous plants in the family Ruscaceae, formerly treated in either the Liliaceae or the Convallariaceae. They are native to southern China and the eastern Himalaya. They are tough plants with strap-shaped leathery dark green leaves, growing up to 1 m tall. Flowers are borne at soil level. Terrestrial crustaceans called amphipods are responsible for pollinating A. elatior.
- Species
- Aspidistra elatior (Aspidistra, Iron plant, barroom plant, cast-iron plant)
- Aspidistra caespitosa
- Aspidistra linearifolia
- Aspidistra lurida
- Aspidistra minutiflora (Chinese Ribbon Plant)
- Aspidistra typica
[edit] Cultivation and uses
Aspidistra elatior 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).
In the BBC series 'The Adventure Game' Rangdo, the ruler of the planet Arg, appears as an Aspidistra.
