Aspidistra elatior explained

Aspidistra elatior, the cast-iron-plant or bar-room plant, also known in Japanese as haran or baran (葉蘭) 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 -5C. It is used as training material for the seika form of ikebana.

Description

Growing to 60cm (20inches) tall and wide, it is an evergreen rhizomatous perennial, with glossy dark green leaves 30- long, and fleshy, 8-lobed cream flowers with maroon colouring on the inner surface, borne in early summer.[1]

Pollination

According to a study published in 2018, A. elatior appears to be mainly pollinated by fungus gnats (Cordyla sixi and Bradysia spp.).[2]

Distribution

Although sometimes thought to be of Chinese origin,[3] the species is in fact native to southern Japan,[4] including Kuroshima,[5] Suwanosejima[6] and the Uji Islands.[7] It occurs in association with overstorey species such as Ardisia sieboldii and Castanopsis sieboldii.[3]

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.[8] 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 -5abbr=onNaNabbr=on, being killed by frosts of -5to or below.

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.[8]

This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[9]

A number of cultivars are available, including:[10]

A. elatior 'Milky Way' is properly A. lurida 'Ginga'.[10]

Notes and References

  1. Book: RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. 2008. Dorling Kindersley. United Kingdom. 978-1405332965. 1136.
  2. Suetsugu. Kenji. Sueyoshi. Masahiro. 2018-01-01. Subterranean flowers of Aspidistra elatior are mainly pollinated by not terrestrial amphipods but fungus gnats. Ecology. 99. 1. 244–246. 10.1002/ecy.2021. 29136275. 2018Ecol...99..244S . 1939-9170.
  3. Web site: Aspidistra elatior. Flora of China. 2009-02-19.
  4. Web site: Aspidistra elator. World Checklist of Selected Plant Families . . 2013-07-22.
  5. Sako . Shizuo . Katsutoshi Maruno . March 1983 . Flora of Island Kuroshima, Pref. Kagoshima, Kyushu . Bulletin of the Kagoshima University Forest . 11 . 33–61 . 0389-9454 . 2009-02-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110718170351/http://ir.kagoshima-u.ac.jp/bitstream/10232/945/1/KJ00000067228.pdf . 2011-07-18 . dead .
  6. Sako . Shizuo . Hidenobu Kirino . March 1980 . Flora of Isl. Suwanose-jima, Isls. Tokara, Ryukyus . Bulletin of the Kagoshima University Forest . 8 . 19–53 . 0389-9454 . 2009-02-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110718170511/http://ir.kagoshima-u.ac.jp/bitstream/10232/931/1/KJ00000067468.pdf . 2011-07-18 . dead .
  7. Sako . Shizuo . March 1988 . Flora of the Uji Isls., Kagoshima Pref., Kyushu . Bulletin of the Kagoshima University Forest . 16 . 83–108 . 0389-9454 . 2009-02-20 . etal . https://web.archive.org/web/20110718170734/http://ir.kagoshima-u.ac.jp/bitstream/10232/988/1/KJ00000067295.pdf . 2011-07-18 . dead .
  8. Web site: Aspidistra elatior. PlantFinder. Missouri Botanical Garden. 2009-02-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20090304022939/http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/PlantFinder/Plant.asp?code=B579. 4 March 2009 . live.
  9. Web site: RHS Plant Selector - Aspidistra elatior. 4 June 2013.
  10. Brown . Bob . 2013 . High Flying Aspidistras . The Garden . 138 . 1 . 62–65 .
  11. Web site: Aspidistra elatior 'Variegata' . RHS . 12 April 2020.

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