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Rhaphidophora 'Cryptantha' (Shingle Plant)

Botanical Name: Rhaphidophora cryptantha Common Names: Shingle Plant Description: Rhaphidophora cryptantha is a rare, evergreen, tropical, shingling climber native to Papua New Guinea. Lae Botanic Garden first cultivated it, and it isn’t clear if this is the actual native habitat. Some sources place the native habitat as Southeast Asia and African tropics. This plant is in high demand, and many plant collectors value its shingling growing habits and lovely foliage – it has beautiful, heart-shaped velvety green or dark green leaves with silvery green markings along the veins. When growing, the leaves press or lie flat on the climbing surface, resembling roofing shingles instead of fanning or growing outwards like most climbers.