Raphidophora

( raff - ih - DOH - for - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus is comprised of evergreen, climbing plants native to tropical Africa through Malesia and Australasia and the Western Pacific.

Raphidophora Species and Varietals

The genus Raphidophora includes 100 species, and is a member of the plant family Araceae (subfamily Monsteroideae). To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Raphidophora australasica (Needle Berry)
This robust climbing plant is native to northeastern Queensland, Australia, and has dark green leaves. This species was first discovered and described by Australian botanist Frederick Manson Bailey. Flower spikes are surrounded by a white spathe, and the inflorescences are about 6 inches long.

Raphidophora decursiva
This species is native to the Indian subcontinent, Indochina, and China, and is a tropical flowering climber. These plants are commonly cultivated as indoor houseplants, having some of the same looks and characteristics as Monstera species. Lealves are large, waxy and green.

Rhapidophora foraminifera
This interesting species is native to Borneo, Sumatra, and Peninsular Malaysia. These plants reach upwards of 45 feet long or tall, and have deep green leaves with small fenestrations along the midrib. Young leaves are green, glossy and whole. When grown indoors, these plants do well in medium to bright indirect light conditions.

Rhapidophora guamensis
This Guam native plant produces elliptical, waxy green leaves that sprout from a climbing stem. These are tropical plants, and are hardy to about 45 degrees Fahrenheit. They are cultivated as indoor plants. This plant is an iconic native of Guam, and was first collected and described in 1962.

Rhapidophora hayi (Shingle Plant, Shingle Vine)
This species, native to Queensland, Australia and New Guinea, forms shingle-leaves along a climbing vine stem. These plants enjoy a wet, tropical habitat and get their common names from the way their leaves lay against the surface of the structure or plant they are climbing. Aerial roots attach to the surface, holding the vine in place as it climbs.

Rhapidophora korthalsii (Shingle Plant)
This rare species reaches about 66 feet in length or height, and produces leafy flowing stems with leaves interlocked like shingles, hence its common name. Grown mainly as a houseplant, these climbers are slow-growing and are great at purifying indoor air.

Rhaphidophora montana
This species produces smaller plants than most others in the genus, topping out at about 4-5 feet tall. Stems are brownish green on the exterior and purple on the interior. Leaves are glossy and green, sometimes with small fenestrations along the midrib of leaves.

Raphidophora pertusa (Raphidophora tetrasperma)(Perforated Philodendron, Mini Monstera)
This species is found in Southeast Asia, and produces large, deep green leaves with fenestrations. Young leaves are entire. This species recently gained popularity in 2022 and 2023 as an ornamental houseplant.

Raphidophora petrieana
This semi-epiphytic climber is a robust plant, and can reach up to 66 feet tall in its natural habitat. They are native to northeastern Queensland, Australia and produce ovate green glossy leaves along green stems. This species was first discovered and described by Australian botanist Alistair Hay in 1993.