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A very remarkable plant that I got from Tom Hudson. It originally came from Vietnam and had been identified as Epipremnum sp. Vietnam.
There seem to be only two species of Epipremnum in Vietnam, E. giganteum and E. pinnatum, and this didn't really match the description of either.
It was later identified as Rhaphidophora peepla I grew it in a pot in the greenhouse for a number of years, but in 2020 I planted it in the soil of the Hedychium House and it has done well, growing along the ground and eventually producing a flower. I had expected it to grow up the greenhouse supports before flowering but this was not how it behaved. Plants of the World OInline says: "The native range of this species is Nepal to S. Central China and Indo-China. It is a climber and grows primarily in the wet tropical biome. Evergreen forests, valley forests, on trees or on stone walls. Lianas, medium to large, to 15m, moderately robust." CATE Araceae makes the taxonomic note that: "As defined here, Rhaphidophora peepla is the commonest and most widespread Rhaphidophora in the north of Thailand. In the broad sense applied here it is readily identifiable by the broadly lanceolate leaves with rounded bases and the orange spathes. Rhaphidophora peepla belongs to a complex of trans-Himalayan species sharing similar morphology and spathe colouration, however; it is quite possible that there are several species involved in Thailand. See the above key, notably R. lancifolia and R. schottii." Considering the current enthusiasm for tropical climbing aroids (Philodendron, Monstera, Scindapsus etc.) it is surprising that this cold tolerant species has not attracted more attention. |
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| 28th September 2024 | ||
