Rhaphidophora cryptantha

Rhaphidophora cryptantha, described by Boyce and Allen, is a shingling climber from the wet rainforests of Papua New Guinea. It ascends mossy trunks in persistently humid, shaded conditions, with juvenile growth remaining tightly appressed to bark by adhesive roots. It is one of the most neotenic Rhaphidophoras in cultivation: the overlapping leaves lie completely flat against the substrate in a permanently shingling arrangement, each ovate to elliptic, green and strongly veined blade carrying a distinctive folded profile that partially encloses the stem. Short internodes ensure leaves are packed closely. The base species is distinct from the cultivated 'Variegata' form, which has become considerably more sought-after due to its chimeric white patterning; the plain cryptantha is the more botanically correct expression of the species and appeals to collectors who appreciate the shingling habit for its own sake rather than as a backdrop for variegation.

Native range

Papua New Guinea (wet rainforest)

Classification

Genus

Rhaphidophora

Family

Araceae

Type

Wild

Growth habit

Permanently shingling climber

Morphology

Leaf shape

OvateEgg-shaped leaves, with the wider end near the base. to elliptic, folded profile partially enclosing the stem

Leaf length

4-12 cm

Leaf width

3-8 cm

Petiole colour

Very short, green

Venation

Strongly veined, prominent

Texture

Semi-glossy, coriaceous, lies flat against substrate

Variegation

None

Growth habit

Permanently shingling, overlapping leaves appressed to bark by adhesive roots