Is Rhaphidophora Beccarii Monstera?

Is Rhaphidophora Beccarii Monstera?

No, Rhaphidophora beccarii is not a Monstera. Despite its superficial resemblance to the beautiful Monstera deliciosa, it is more closely related to the genus Rhaphidophora.

Rhaphidophora beccarii is, in fact, a long branching, fleshy-leafed epiphyte, native to Southeast Asia; they are very rare and difficult to find.

Rhaphidophora beccarii is a member of the Araceae (Aroid Family), and genus Rhaphidophora.

Although Rhaphidophora, Monstera, and Philodendron are all members of the Araceae (Aroid) family, Rhaphidophora is a distinct genus from Monstera and Philodendron.

How do you care for Rhaphidophora Beccarii?

Rhaphidophora beccarii is a unique houseplant with juvenile leaves that are entire narrow shingling and adult leaves that are entire to split narrowly lance-shaped to oblong-elliptic.

It is an obligatory rheophyte (a plant that grows only in fast-moving water) that will add tropical appeal to your home.

This plant grows in USDA hardiness zone 11-12 (not frost resistant and unable to withstand freezing conditions).

Humidity: Average to above-average, 50% or higher. If your home has low humidity, spritz your plants a few times per week, use a pebble tray, move them to higher humidity areas (such as the toilet), or get a humidifier.

Temperature range: 55 to 85°F (12.8-29°C), with 70-80°F (21-27°C) being ideal. Avoid chilly drafts, sudden temperature swings, and heat exhaustion.

Light requirements: Provide bright, indirect light for around 12 hours each day. Avoid direct sunlight and, if you’re in a dark room, use grow lamps.

Soil: The best soil mix is one that is airy, well-drained, and abundant in organic matter. You can either purchase an aroid mix or manufacture your own. The best aroid combinations may be found on Etsy.com.

Watering: Water thoroughly when the top 1-2 inches of the potting mix feel dry. Please do not stick to a routine because water requirements fluctuate.

Fertilizer: Feed once a month during the growing season with a half-strength all-purpose, balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer.

Is Rhaphidophora Beccarii rare?

Rhaphidophora beccarii is a rare houseplant with juvenile leaves that are entire narrow shingling and adult leaves that are entire to split narrowly lance-shaped to oblong-elliptic.

It is an obligatory rheophyte (a plant that grows only in fast-moving water) that will add tropical appeal to your home.

This plant requires little or no upkeep. If you have other Rhaphidophora, this species should be no problem.

What is a Rhaphidophora Beccarii plant?

Rhaphidophora beccarii is a little-known aquarium plant. This aroid is common in Southeast Asian rainforests. It grows as a rheophyte (suited to strong currents) on rock beside fast-flowing streams and rivers.

Other Rhaphidophora species, like the Golden Pothos, generally grow as climbers on trees in tropical rainforests (Epipremnum aureum). Rhaphidophora beccarii has a remarkable difference between juvenile and mature plants.

Juvenile shoots are long, slender, and have little leaves, creeping and climbing on rocks in the flood zone. The mature plant is much larger and bushier, with long, slotted leaves and compact rhizomes. It does not produce blooms or fruits until it has reached maturity.

Does Rhaphidophora Beccarii grow fast?

It is an aggressive grower when planted under ideal conditions. However, as you are aware, it does not grow to be large, i.e., it does not grow to be taller than 2.5 feet.

This plant can be cultivated in aquariums continuously submerged, with its shoots remaining juvenile and growing extremely slowly. It has coarse, medium green submerged leaves with blades up to 3 cm long and petioles up to 4 mm long.

When R. beccarii is grown above water, its leaves grow larger and longer until they reach the mature stage.

Are philodendron minima the same as Rhaphidophora Beccarii?

The philodendron minima are not the same as Rhaphidophora Beccarii, but they are in the same family.

Rhaphidophora beccarii: This aroid has attractive juvenile shingling oblong leaves and mature whole or split (pinnatifid to pinnatisect) to green leaves.

Rhaphidophora beccarii, along with Rhaphidophora geniculata, is the only obligatory rheophyte (plant that grows in fast-moving water) in its genus. It is not a huge plant and rarely develops as a liana.

On the other hand, Rhaphidophora tetrasperma (small Monstera, Monstera minima or ginny, Philodendron minima, etc.) has juvenile oval shingling leaves. People cultivate it for the huge, mature leaves with shallowly to deeply split leaves and rhombic holes around the midrib.

It does like a tiny version of Monstera deliciosa or the Swiss-cheese plant. However, there are certain distinctions to be made when comparing Rhaphidophora tetrasperma with Monstera deliciosa. It also has some characteristics with R. pertusa.

Where does Rhaphidophora Beccarii grow?

Rhaphidophora beccarii is a small to medium creeping rheophyte (a plant that grows in fast-moving water) native to Borneo and sections of peninsular Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. However, on rare occasions, it may appear as a short liana no taller than 2.5 feet.

Its seedling stage grows towards the light (non-skototropic) and shingles in the juvenile stage. It will have upright or spreading leaves as it matures.

It can be found on waterways (streams or rivers) crawling or adhering to rocks, primarily limestone and granite, in its native habitat at 295-2952 feet (70-900 m) altitude. They can also grow on soft mud, sanded river beds, forested stones, and so on.

This species and R. geniculata (native to New Guinea) are the only obligate rheophytes, which means they can only grow in moving water. R. beccarii has pinnatifid leaves, so you can tell them apart.

Last but not least, there are variant forms of R. beccarii, the most common of which are the narrow and broad forms. Some narrow-leaved varieties may not have split leaves at maturity or flowering age.

Is Rhaphidophora Beccarii evergreen?

Rhaphidophora Beccarii is evergreen.

Except for a few clustered and rheophytic (growing in fast-moving water) species, Rhaphidophora is a genus of over 100 recognized species of evergreen medium to extremely large, and sometimes enormous, slender to strong root climbing lianas.

The name Rhaphidophora is derived from the Greek terms rhaphis or rhaphidos, which signify needle, and phér, which means to bear. It stems from the fact that they have needle-like (up to 1cm) trichosclereids that defend the plants from herbivores.

Plants in Rhaphidophora can be neotenic (juvenile) or transform to have huge, whole, divided, fenestrated, or both leaves.

How do you make Rhaphidophora Beccarii bushy?

To make Rhaphidophora Beccarii bushy, it is a good idea to prune it. Also, leave the stems on a bit longer in the tank from when you normally cut them off so that they have time to lay across the substrate.

Depending on how much light you allow it to have, you should find that this plant will put out lots of side shoots as it grows.

Rhaphidophora Beccarii is a very active plant. It is great for the indoors, but it will grow as a liana outdoors.

If you have a small aquarium with Rhaphidophora Beccarii, you only need to provide it with a good amount of light. The plant will grow quickly and take on a bushy appearance when grown in tanks.

How do I tell Rhaphidophora Beccarii leaves?

Rhaphidophora beccarii has juvenile green leaves that are whole, shingling, narrow, and elongated before becoming upright, dispersed, or spread as it matures.

Mature leaves are pinnatifid to pinnatisect, upright and possibly whole. They are also narrowly lance-shaped to oblong-elliptic and somewhat oblique, ranging in length from 8.3 to 21 inches and width from 0.8 to 9 inches. They have a leathery feel and are slightly meaty.

Their slender vaginate petiole features large lower and upper genicula. The petiolar sheath can reach all the way up to the upper geniculum and may remain but disintegrate into fibers.

Finally, this plant possesses a lot of trichosclereids, which are hair structures that protect it from herbivores. Tearing a mature leaf will reveal or make them visible.

How much is Rhaphidophora Beccarii?

Rhaphidophora beccarii will cost between $50 and $300. Because the plant is unusual and not widely available in the United States, you may have to pay more.

If you want to buy it, check out Etsy.com, eBay, Facebook, or Instagram. People with this plant are impossible to notice in this area. It is unlikely to be available in your local tropical plant or specialty store.

Aside from the above, search Google for “Rhaphidophora beccarii for sale” to see if there are any local vendors selling it near you. Please keep in mind that this wonderful plant is still difficult to find, even online.

Does Rhaphidophora Beccarii produce flowers?

Rhaphidophora Beccarii does bear flowers.

These plants will grow 1-3 inflorescences per axil, each of which will be covered by a cataphyll that will disintegrate into fibers before the flower opens.

They have little dull-whitish inflorescence blooms on a spadix that is encircled with a greenish to dull white spathe. At anthesis, this small, stout-beaked, canoe-shaped spathe will descend.

By the time it ripens, the fruiting spadix is mid-green, and it, like other plants in this genus, has aggregate fruits, or what botanists call infructescence. Please do not consume the fruits. They, like the rest of the plant, are toxic.