The biggest what?

By Chelsie Vandaveer

February 21, 2002

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

Suggested Reading: Click here.

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Killer Picks: Ferrari Amaryllis, Benfica Amaryllis, Vera Amaryllis—>Click here.

Minerva Amaryllis, Double Record Amaryllis, Lily-of-the-Valley—>Click here.

The barroom plant (Aspidistra elatior Blume) [as pi dis' tra e lay' te or] seems indifferent to humans. Removed from its native Asia to the stuffy, gas lit houses of the Victorian Era, it simply decided to endure.

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The barroom plant (Aspidistra elatior Blume)

The Aspidistra was so tolerant of the leaky gas fixtures that all proper Victorian homes had at least one. As a symbol of middle class respectability, the Victorians called it the cast-iron plant.

The Aspidistra grows long strap-like leaves from a rhizome (underground stem). The leaves persist for years and tolerate light levels as low as 25 foot-candles. It forgives sporadic watering and poor potting soil which made it the ideal choice for barrooms. Fitting these plants into the décor of the bar, they were often potted in old spittoons. There was even a song written--"The Biggest Aspidistra in the World" with emphasis on the first syllable of the third word.

The flowers of this relative of the lily-of-the-valley are seldom seen. The campanulate (bell-shaped) purple-brown blooms arise and open at the soil line. At ground line, the flowers are not found by bees and butterflies. The flowers are malacophilous, pollinated by slugs and snails.

The Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Conservatory of the University of Connecticut has a photograph of Aspidistra elatior in flower.

http://florawww.eeb.uconn.edu/acc_num/198500883.html

Digital Times has posted the lyrics of "The Biggest Aspidistra in the World". If you are a vaudeville fan, click here to view the lyrics

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

Suggested Reading:

Galaxy (Aspidistra lurida) Plant of the Week - October 22, 2007
What plant commemorates the death of a dragon? Herbal Folklore - March 11, 2002
What houseplant was used in voodoo? Herbal Folklore - March 25, 2002
How does a houseplant signal that it is starving? Weird Plants - August 21, 2003
Stromanthe sanguinea 'Triostar' Plant of the Week - September 25, 2006

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Spring Hill Nursery -$20 off—>Click here.

Gardens Alive! -$20 off—>Click here.

Michigan Bulb -$20 off—>Click here.

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Ferrari Amaryllis, JUMBO A JUMBO size of the original! Ferrari produces multiple stalks that produce 3-4 blossoms each in a fantastic red with a white star in the heart of the bloom. Click here - Free $25 off any order of $50 or more at Brecks Bulbs

Benfica Amaryllis, JUMBO A JUMBO size of the original! An extraordinary amaryllis-many consider it the most beautiful of all! Click here - Free $25 off any order of $50 or more at Brecks Bulbs

Vera Amaryllis, JUMBO A JUMBO size of the original! This gorgeous indoor plant needs very little care and will still produce one of the loveliest flowers you've ever seen. Click here - Free $25 off any order of $50 or more at Brecks Bulbs

Minerva Amaryllis, JUMBO A JUMBO size of the original! Huge bulb produces multiple stems, each carrying several gorgeous red and white flowers. Click here - Free $25 off any order of $50 or more at Brecks Bulbs

Double Record Amaryllis, JUMBO A JUMBO size of the original! This elegant, double flowered amaryllis is a joy to behold in mid-winter! Click here - Free $25 off any order of $50 or more at Brecks Bulbs

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killerplants Recommended Seed and Nursery Stores

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