Practical
Plants

Aspidistra elatior

Aspidistra

a perennial evergreen member of the Aspidistra genus in the family Convallariaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Height
0.6 m
Spread
0.45 m
Fertility
Slugs, Snails
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Slugs, Snails

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The roots, stems and leaves are febrifuge, styptic and tonic. Strengthens bones and muscles[2]. A decoction of the root, stems or leaves is used in the treatment of abdominal cramps, amenorrhoea, diarrhoea, myalgia, traumatic injuries and urinary stones[2][5].

Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Styptic
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Aspidistras can be grown as a ground cover in a shady position[3].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Japan - Kuroshima, Suwanose, and Uji Islands.
Habitat
An understory plant, found growing in forests beneath Ardisia crenata and Castanopsis sieboldii[7].
Light
partial sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on for at least their first winter in the greenhouse. Plant them out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Division as the plant comes into growth in the spring[4]. Suckers. Best removed in the autumn and grown on in the greenhouse for the first winter.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a shady position in a rich well-drained soil[4]. Tolerates poor soils and drought[4]. Almost hardy in Britain[1], plants can withstand temperatures down to about -15°c if they are well sited[4]. A plant growing under shrubs in Worcestershire has survived in the garden for over 30 years[6]. This plant used to be commonly grown as a house plant, it tolerates considerable neglect[4].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

    ↩1↩2

  3. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

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  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  5. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

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  6. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

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  7. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

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