Aspidistra

aspidistra

Any plant of the genus Aspidistra (lily family), native to eastern Asia and known for ornamental foliage. The only cultivated species is a houseplant commonly known as cast-iron plant (A. elatior, or A. lurida), which has long, stiff, pointed evergreen leaves that are capable of withstanding temperature extremes, dust, smoke, and other harsh conditions. The solitary, bell-shaped flowers, which are usually lilac in colour but sometimes brown or green, are borne at the base of the plant. The fruits are small berries.

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aspidistra

any Asian plant of the liliaceous genus Aspidistra, esp A. lurida, a popular house plant with long tough evergreen leaves and purplish flowers borne on the ground

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Aspidistra 

a genus of perennial stemless grasses of the family Liliaceae. Aspidistras have basal evergreen leathery leaves and small flowers that sit upon short scapes near the ground. There are between six and eight species distributed in the mountains of South and East Asia and Japan. In the USSR, Aspidistra lurida (A. elatior) is often cultivated in greenhouses and indoors under the name “friendly family.” It is highly tolerant of shade. In subtropical regions it can also be cultivated outdoors.

REFERENCE

Kiselev, G. E. Tsvetovodstvo, 3rd ed. Moscow, 1964.