- aspidistra
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/as'pi dis"treuh/, n.any of several plants belonging to the genus Aspidistra, of the lily family, native to eastern Asia, esp. A. eliator, having large evergreen leaves often striped with white, and grown as a houseplant. Also called barroom plant, cast-iron plant, iron plant.[1815-25; < NL, equiv. to aspid- ( < Gk: s. of aspís shield) + -istra, extracted from Tupistra genus of liliaceous plants < Gk typís mallet + L -tra pl. of -trum n. suffix denoting instrument]
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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.* * *
▪ plant genusgenus of ornamental foliage plants in the family Ruscaceae, native to eastern Asia. The only cultivated species is a houseplant commonly known as cast-iron plant (A. elatior, or A. lurida). The cast-iron plant 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 of Aspidistra are small berries.* * *
Universalium. 2010.