The genus
Aspidistra was named by the English botanist
John Ker Gawler in 1822, as a blend of Greek ασπίς/ασπίδ-
aspid-, meaning shield, and the name of the sister genus
Tupistra. The genus was at one time placed in a broadly defined Liliaceae, along with many other
lilioid monocots.
Species Aspidistra is a genus that was largely ignored by field botanists until the 1980s onwards, and there has been a rapid rise in the number of recognised species since then. Some 8 to 10 species were known in the late 1970s; 30 new species were described from China in the 1980s. Subsequently, more new species were found in Vietnam. The online
Flora of China uses a narrow definition of species, producing a total of about 55, saying that the genus has "never been well studied". •
Aspidistra acetabuliformis Y.Wan & C.C.Huang – China (Guangxi) •
Aspidistra alata Tillich – Vietnam (Cao Bang) •
Aspidistra albiflora C.R.Lin, W.B.Xu & Yan Liu •
Aspidistra albopurpurea Aver. & Tillich •
Aspidistra alternativa D.Fang & L.Y.Yu – China (Guangxi) •
Aspidistra anomala Aver. & Tillich •
Aspidistra arnautovii Tillich – Vietnam (Hai Phong) •
Aspidistra atrata Aver., Tillich & B.H.Quang •
Aspidistra atroviolacea Tillich(synonym
A. renatae Bräuchler) – Vietnam (central) •
Aspidistra attenuata Hayata •
Aspidistra australis S.Z.He & W.F.Xu •
Aspidistra austrosinensis Y.Wan & C.C.Huang – China (Guangxi) •
Aspidistra austroyunnanensis G.W.Hu, Lei Cai & Q.F.Wang •
Aspidistra averyanovii N.S.Lý & Tillich •
Aspidistra babensis K.S.Nguyen, Aver. & Tillich •
Aspidistra bamaensis C.R.Lin, Y.Y.Liang & Yan Liu •
Aspidistra basalis Tillich •
Aspidistra bella Aver., Tillich & K.S.Nguyen •
Aspidistra bicolor Tillich – Vietnam (Thai Nguyen) •
Aspidistra bogneri Tillich – Vietnam (Ninh Binh) •
Aspidistra brachypetala C.R.Lin & B.Pan •
Aspidistra brachystyla Aver. & Tillich – Vietnam •
Aspidistra cadamensis N.S.Lý & Tillich •
Aspidistra caespitosa C.Pei – China (Sichuan) •
Aspidistra campanulata Tillich – Vietnam (Tuyen Quang) •
Aspidistra carinata Y.Wan & X.H.Lu – China (N Guangxi) •
Aspidistra carnosa Tillich – Vietnam (Lam Dong) •
Aspidistra cavicola D.Fang & K.C.Yen – China (NW Guangxi) •
Aspidistra cerina G.Z.Li & S.C.Tang – China (Guangxi) •
Aspidistra chishuiensis S.Z.He & W.F.Xu •
Aspidistra chongzuoensis C.R.Lin & Y.S.Huang •
Aspidistra chunxiuensis C.R.Lin & Yan Liu •
Aspidistra clausa Vislobokov •
Aspidistra claviformis Y.Wan – China (W Guangxi) •
Aspidistra cleistantha D.X.Nong & H.Z.Lü •
Aspidistra coccigera Aver. & Tillich •
Aspidistra columellaris Tillich •
Aspidistra connata Tillich – Vietnam (Gialai-Kontum) •
Aspidistra corniculata Vislobokov •
Aspidistra crassifila Yan Liu & C.I Peng •
Aspidistra cruciformis Y.Wan & X.H.Lu – China (NW Guangxi) •
Aspidistra cryptantha Tillich – Vietnam (Cao Bang) •
Aspidistra cyathiflora Y.Wan & C.C.Huang – China (Guangxi) •
Aspidistra cylindrica Vislobokov & Nuraliev •
Aspidistra daibuensis Hayata – Taiwan •
Aspidistra daxinensis M.F.Hou & Yan Liu •
Aspidistra deflexa Aver., Tillich & V.T.Pham •
Aspidistra dodecandra (Gagnep.) Tillich – Indo-China •
Aspidistra dolichanthera X.X.Chen – China (SW Guangxi) •
Aspidistra ebianensis K.Y.Lang & Z.Y.Zhu – China (Sichuan) •
Aspidistra elatior Blume (synonym
A.insularis Tillich) Japan (Ōsumi & Kuroshima Islands): houseplant •
Aspidistra elegans Aver. & Tillich •
Aspidistra erecta Yan Liu & C.I Peng •
Aspidistra erosa Aver., Tillich, T.A.Le & K.S.Nguyen •
Aspidistra erythrocephala C.R.Lin & Y.Y.Liang •
Aspidistra extrorsa C.R.Lin & D.X.Nong •
Aspidistra fasciaria G.Z.Li – China (?Guangxi) •
Aspidistra fenghuangensis K.Y.Lang – China (W Hunan) •
Aspidistra fimbriata F.T.Wang & K.Y.Lang – China (Fujian, Guangdong, Hainan) •
Aspidistra flaviflora K.Y.Lang & Z.Y.Zhu – China (SC Sichuan) •
Aspidistra foliosa Tillich – Vietnam (Thua Thien) •
Aspidistra fungilliformis Y.Wan – China (W Guangxi) •
Aspidistra geastrum Tillich – Vietnam (Thua Thien) •
Aspidistra glandulosa (Gagnep.) Tillich – Laos (La Khon) •
Aspidistra globosa Vislobokov & Nuraliev •
Aspidistra gracilis Tillich •
Aspidistra graminifolia Aver. & Tillich •
Aspidistra grandiflora Tillich – Vietnam (Hoa Binh) •
Aspidistra guangxiensis S.C.Tang & Yan Liu – China (Guangxi) •
Aspidistra hekouensis H.Li – China (SE Yunnan) •
Aspidistra hekouensis H.Li, C.L.Long & Bogner •
Aspidistra heterocarpa Aver., Tillich & V.T.Pham •
Aspidistra hezhouensis Q.Gao & Yan Liu •
Aspidistra huanjiangensis G.Z.Li & Y.G.Wei – China (Gunangxi) •
Aspidistra jiangjinensis S.R.Yi & C.R.Lin •
Aspidistra jiewhoei Tillich & Škornick. •
Aspidistra jingxiensis Yan Liu & C.R.Lin •
Aspidistra khangii Aver. & Tillich •
Aspidistra laongamensis C.R.Lin & X.Y.Huang •
Aspidistra laotica Aver. & Tillich •
Aspidistra lateralis Tillich – Vietnam (Thua Thien) •
Aspidistra letreae Aver., Tillich & T.A. Le – Vietnam (Thua Thien) •
Aspidistra leshanensis K.Y.Lang & Z.Y.Zhu – China (SC Sichuan) •
Aspidistra leucographa C.R.Lin & C.Y.Zou •
Aspidistra leyeensis Y.Wan & C.C.Huang – China (NW Guangxi) •
Aspidistra liboensis S.Z.He & J.Y.Wu •
Aspidistra linearifolia Y.Wan & C.C.Huang – China (W Guangxi) •
Aspidistra lingchuanensis C.R.Lin & L.F.Guo •
Aspidistra lingyunensis C.R.Lin & L.F.Guo •
Aspidistra lobata Tillich – China (Sichuan) •
Aspidistra locii Arnautov & Bogner – Vietnam •
Aspidistra longanensis Y.Wan – China (WC Guangxi) •
Aspidistra longgangensis C.R.Lin, Y.S.Huang & Yan Liu •
Aspidistra longiconnectiva C.T.Lu, K.C.Chuang & J.C.Wang •
Aspidistra longifolia Hook.f. – India •
Aspidistra longiloba G.Z.Li – China (Guangxi) •
Aspidistra longipedunculata D.Fang – China (SW Guangxi) •
Aspidistra longipetala S.Z.Huang – China (C Guangxi) •
Aspidistra longituba Yan Liu & C.R.Lin •
Aspidistra longshengensis C.R.Lin & W.B.Xu •
Aspidistra lubae Aver. & Tillich •
Aspidistra luochengensis B.Pan & C.R.Lin •
Aspidistra luodianensis D.D.Tao – China (NW Guangxi, S Guizhou) •
Aspidistra lurida Ker Gawl. – China (Guangdong, NC Guangxi, SC Guizhou) -
type species •
Aspidistra lutea Tillich – Vietnam (Son La) •
Aspidistra maguanensis S.Z.He & D.H.Lv •
Aspidistra marasmioides Tillich – Vietnam (Hai Phong) •
Aspidistra marginella D.Fang & L.Zeng – China (SW Guangxi) •
Aspidistra medusa Aver., K.S.Nguyen & Tillich •
Aspidistra micrantha Vislobokov & Nuraliev •
Aspidistra minor Vislobokov, Nuraliev & M.S.Romanov •
Aspidistra minutiflora Stapf – China (N Guangdong, Guangxi, ?Guizhou, Hainan, Hong Kong, SW Hunan) •
Aspidistra mirostigma Tillich & Škornick. •
Aspidistra molendinacea G.Z.Li & S.C.Tang – China (Guangzi) •
Aspidistra multiflora Aver. & Tillich •
Aspidistra muricata F.C.How – China (NC & W Guangxi) •
Aspidistra mushaensis Hayata – Taiwan •
Aspidistra nanchuanensis Tillich – China (Sichuan) •
Aspidistra nankunshanensis Yan Liu & C.R.Lin •
Aspidistra neglecta Aver., Tillich & K.S.Nguyen •
Aspidistra nigra Aver., Tillich & K.S.Nguyen •
Aspidistra nikolaii Aver. & Tillich – Vietnam (Annamite Mts.) •
Aspidistra nutans Aver. & Tillich •
Aspidistra obconica C.R.Lin & Yan Liu •
Aspidistra oblanceifolia F.T.Wang & K.Y.Lang – China (S Guizhou, W Hubei, Sichuan) •
Aspidistra obliquipeltata D.Fang & L.Y.Yu – China (Guangxi) •
Aspidistra oblongifolia F.T.Wang & K.Y.Lang – China (N Guangxi) •
Aspidistra obtusata Vislobokov •
Aspidistra omeiensis Z.Y.Zhu & J.L.Zhang – China (Sichuan) •
Aspidistra opaca Tillich – Vietnam (Khanh Hoa) •
Aspidistra ovatifolia Yan Liu & C.R.Lin •
Aspidistra oviflora Aver. & Tillich •
Aspidistra papillata G.Z.Li – China (Guangxi) •
Aspidistra patentiloba Y.Wan & X.H.Lu – China (C Guangxi) •
Aspidistra paucitepala Vislobokov, Nuraliev & D.D.Sokoloff •
Aspidistra petiolata Tillich – Vietnam (Thua Thien) •
Aspidistra phanluongii Vislobokov – Vietnam •
Aspidistra pileata D.Fang & L.Y.Yu – China (Guangxi) •
Aspidistra pingfaensis S.Z.He & Q.W.Sun •
Aspidistra pingtangensis S.Z.He, W.F.Xu & Q.W.Sun •
Aspidistra phongdiensis D. Dien, T.A. Le & Vislobokov •
Aspidistra pulchella B.M.Wang & Yan Liu •
Aspidistra punctata Lindl. – China (Guandong, Hong Kong) •
Aspidistra punctatoides Yan Liu & C.R.Lin •
Aspidistra purpureomaculata H.C.Xi, J.T.Yin & W.G.Wang •
Aspidistra qijiangensis S.Z.He & X.Y.Luo •
Aspidistra quadripartita G.Z.Li & S.C.Tang - China (Guangxi) •
Aspidistra quangngaiensis N.S.Lý, Haev. & Tillich •
Aspidistra radiata G.W.Hu & Q.F.Wang •
Aspidistra recondita Tillich – Vietnam (location not known) •
Aspidistra retusa K.Y.Lang & S.Z.Huang – China (NE Guangxi) •
Aspidistra revoluta Hao Zhou, S.R.Yi & Q.Gao •
Aspidistra ronganensis C.R.Lin, Jing Liu & W.B.Xu •
Aspidistra sarcantha Aver., Tillich, T.A.Le & K.S.Nguyen •
Aspidistra saxicola Y.Wan – China (WC Guangxi) •
Aspidistra semiaperta Aver. & Tillich •
Aspidistra sessiliflora Aver. & Tillich •
Aspidistra sichuanensis K.Y.Lang & Z.Y.Zhu – China (Guangxi, Guizhou, W Hunan, Sichuan, Yunnan) •
Aspidistra sinensis Aver. & Tillich •
Aspidistra sinuata Aver. & Tillich •
Aspidistra spinula S.Z.He – China (Guizhou) •
Aspidistra stellata Aver. & Tillich •
Aspidistra stenophylla C.R.Lin & R.C.Hu •
Aspidistra stricta Tillich – Vietnam (Lam Dong) •
Aspidistra subrotata Y.Wan & C.C.Huang – China (S & W Guangxi), Vietnam (Thai Nguyen) •
Aspidistra superba Tillich – Vietnam (Ninh Binh) •
Aspidistra sutepensis K.Larsen – Vietnam (Paypa) •
Aspidistra synpetala C.R.Lin & Yan Liu •
Aspidistra tenuifolia C.R.Lin & J.C.Yang •
Aspidistra tillichiana O.Colin •
Aspidistra tonkinensis (Gagnep.) F.T.Wang & K.Y.Lang – China (NW Guangxi, S Guizhou, SE Yunnan), Vietnam •
Aspidistra triloba F.T.Wang & K.Y.Lang – China (SC Hunan, W Jiangxi) •
Aspidistra triquetra Aver., Son, Tillich & K.S.Nguyen •
Aspidistra triradiata Vislobokov •
Aspidistra truongii Aver. & Tillich – Vietnam •
Aspidistra tubiflora Tillich – China (Sichuan) •
Aspidistra typica Baill. – China (SW Guangxi, SE Yunnan), Vietnam •
Aspidistra umbrosa Tillich – Vietnam (location not known) •
Aspidistra urceolata F.T.Wang & K.Y.Lang – China (Guizhou) •
Aspidistra ventricosa Tillich & Škornick. •
Aspidistra verruculosa Aver., Tillich & D.D.Nguyen - Vietnam (Di Linh plateau) •
Aspidistra vietnamensis (Aver. & Tillich) Aver. & Tillich •
Aspidistra viridiflora Vislobokov & Nuraliev •
Aspidistra wujiangensis W.F.Xu & S.Z.He •
Aspidistra xichouensis Lei Cai, Z.L.Dao & G.W.Hu •
Aspidistra xilinensis Y.Wan & X.H.Lu – China (NW Guangxi) •
Aspidistra xuansonensis Vislobokov •
Aspidistra yizhouensis B.Pan & C.R.Lin •
Aspidistra yunwuensis S.Z.He & W.F.Xu •
Aspidistra zhangii Aver., Tillich & K.S.Nguyen •
Aspidistra zhenganensis S.Z.He & Y.Wang •
Aspidistra zinaidae Aver. & Tillich •
Aspidistra zongbayi K.Y.Lang & Z.Y.Zhu – China (Sichuan) ==Distribution and ecology==