Cast-iron Plant - Aspidistra elatior

 
FAMILY - Liliaceqe
CULTURE - Shade
FLOWER - Flowers inconspicuous, often hidden by foliage.
FOLIAGE - Leaves basal, 24" long & 3"-4" wide; stiff, leathery dark-green foliage.
FORM - Grows in upright clumps; spreads by thick rhizomes and roots.
FRUIT - A berry
GROWTH RATE - Slow
HARDINESS - Grown throughout the state
MOISTURE - Medium
PRUNING - Remove dead or damaged leaves
SIZE - 24 inches in height, spreads to 3 feet
SOIL - Acid to alkaline
TEXTURE - Coarse
USE - Mass plantings, accent, window boxes & containers; space 2 - 2 .5 feet apart.
VARIETIES - "Variegate" - leaves striped green and white; variegation is lost if planted in rich soil.
NOTES - Will withstand poor soil conditions, low light, heat, and dust; propagated by root division in early spring.