Rhaphidophora

Taxobox


image_width = 230px
image_caption = "Rhaphidophora celatocaulis"
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Liliopsida
ordo = Alismatales
familia = Araceae
subfamilia = Monsteroideae
tribus = Monstereae
genus = "Rhaphidophora"
genus_authority = Hassk., 1842

"Rhaphidophora" is a genus in the family Araceae, occurring from tropical Africa eastwards through Malesia and Australasia to the Western Pacific.

Description

This is a genus of evergreen, robust, climbing plants. The flowers are bisexual, lacking a perigone. The spathe is shed after flowering. The ovules number eight or more and are superposed on two (rarely 3) parietal placentas of the ovary. The flowers produce many, ellipsoid, straight seeds with a brittle and smooth outer coat (testa).

These are hemiepiphytes, plants capable of beginning life as a seed and sending roots to the soil, or beginning as a terrestrial plant that climbs a tree and then sends roots back to the soil. In rare cases they are rheophytic (flood-resisting) terrestrial plants.

Their bast fibers have typically abundant , long and slender trichosclereids, merging with the fibers of the sclerenchyma. The blade of the leaf is torn, many hairs become apparent. The leaf stalks bend abruptly at their top. The leaf margin is entire. The leaves are pinnatifid to pinnatisect (cut with deep opposite lobing). The leaf venation is parallel (with veins running parallel for the length of the leaf), pinnate (one mid-vein with smaller veins branching off laterally) to reticulate (feather-veined).

Medicinal use

Six compounds extracted from the dried leaves and stems of "Rhaphidophora decursiva" have shown to possess activity against the malarial agent "Plasmodium falciparum". Polysyphorin and rhaphidecurperoxin showed the strongest antimalarial activity, while rhaphidecursinol A, rhaphidecursinol B, grandisin , and epigrandisin were less active. Rhaphidecursinol A and rhaphidecursinol B were determined to be neolignans, a major class of phytoestrogens, while rhaphidecurperoxin is a new benzoperoxide.cite journal | author=Hong-Jie Zhang, Pamela A. Tamez, Vu Dinh Hoang, Ghee Teng Tan, Nguyen Van Hung, Le Thi Xuan, Le Mai Huong, Nguyen Manh Cuong, Do Thi Thao, D. Doel Soejarto, Harry H. S. Fong, and John M. Pezzuto| title=Antimalarial Compounds from "Rhaphidophora decursiva"| journal=J. Nat. Prod., | year=June 2001| volume=64| issue=6| page=772-777| url=http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/abstract.cgi/jnprdf/2001/64/i06/abs/np010037c.html]

Heterotypic synonyms

* "Raphidophora" Hassk., Tijdschr. Natuurl. Gesch. Physiol. 9: 168 (1842), orth. var.
* "Afrorhaphidophora" Engl. in H.G.A.Engler & K.A.E.Prantl, Nat. Pflanzenfam., Nachtr. 3: 31 (1906).

Species

Research on the chloroplast DNA sequence data (trnL-F) has shown that "Rhaphidophora" and "Epipremnum" are paraphyletic , forming three informal groups with other genera of the paraphyletic tribe "Monstereae". This may result in taxonomic changes in this genus. cite journal | author=TAM Sheh-May ; BOYCE Peter C. ; UPSON Tim M. ; BARABE Denis ; BRUNEAU Anne ; FOREST Felix ; PARKER John S.| title=Intergeneric and infrafamilial phylogeny of subfamily Monsteroideae (Araceae) revealed by chloroplast trnL-F sequences| journal=American journal of botany| year=2004| volume=91| issue=3| page=490-498| url=http://www.amjbot.org/cgi/content/full/91/3/490] The genera "Rhaphidophora", "Epipremnum", and "Monstera" are poorly differentiated.

One cultivar "Rhaphidophora excelsa" `Exotica' has been recognized. [ [http://www.aroid.org/cultivars/index.html Aroid cultivar registry] ]

pecies include

*"Rhaphidophora acuminata" Merr., Philipp. J. Sci., C 10: 265 (1915).
*"Rhaphidophora africana" N.E.Br., Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1897: 286 (1897).
*"Rhaphidophora angustata" Schott, Ann. Mus. Bot. Lugduno-Batavi 1: 128 (1863).
*"Rhaphidophora araea" P.C.Boyce, Gard. Bull. Singapore 52: 116 (2000).
*"Rhaphidophora australasica" F.M.Bailey, Queensland Agric. J. 1: 453 (1897).
*"Rhaphidophora balgooyi" P.C.Boyce, Gard. Bull. Singapore 52: 118 (2000).
*"Rhaphidophora banosensis" P.C.Boyce, Gard. Bull. Singapore 52: 222 (2000 publ. 2001).
*"Rhaphidophora beccarii" (Engl.) Engl., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 1: 181 (1881).
*"Rhaphidophora bonii" Engl. & K.Krause in H.G.A.Engler, Pflanzenr., IV, 23B: 34 (1908).
*"Rhaphidophora brevispathacea" Engl. & K.Krause, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 54: 79 (1916).
*"Rhaphidophora calophylla" Schott, Prodr. Syst. Aroid.: 380 (1860).
*"Rhaphidophora chevalieri" Gagnep., Notul. Syst. (Paris) 9: 136 (1941).
*"Rhaphidophora conica" Engl., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 1: 181 (1881).
*"Rhaphidophora conocephala" Alderw., Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg, III, 1: 384 (1920).
*"Rhaphidophora corneri" P.C.Boyce, Gard. Bull. Singapore 51: 205 (1999).
*"Rhaphidophora crassicaulis" Engl. & K.Krause in H.G.A.Engler, Pflanzenr., IV, 23B: 52 (1908).
*"Rhaphidophora crassifolia" Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 543 (1893).
*"Rhaphidophora cravenschoddeana" P.C.Boyce, Gard. Bull. Singapore 53: 96 (2001).
*"Rhaphidophora cretosa" P.C.Boyce, Gard. Bull. Singapore 52: 228 (2000).
*"Rhaphidophora cryptantha" P.C.Boyce & C.M.Allen, Gard. Bull. Singapore 53: 99 (2001).
*"Rhaphidophora cylindrosperma" Engl. & K.Krause in H.G.A.Engler, Pflanzenr., IV, 23B: 28 (1908).
*"Rhaphidophora dahlii" Engl., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 25: 8 (1898).
*"Rhaphidophora decursiva" (Roxb.) Schott, Bonplandia (Hannover) 5: 45 (1857).
*"Rhaphidophora discolor" Engl. & K.Krause, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 54: 80 (1916).
*"Rhaphidophora dulongensis" H.Li, Acta Bot. Yunnan., Suppl. 5: 7 (1992).
*"Rhaphidophora elliptica" Ridl., J. Straits Branch Roy. Asiat. Soc. 44: 186 (1905).
*"Rhaphidophora elliptifolia" Merr., J. Straits Branch Roy. Asiat. Soc., Spec. No.: 88 (1921).
*"Rhaphidophora elmeri" Engl. & K.Krause, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 44(101): 11 (1910).
*"Rhaphidophora falcata" Ridl., J. Straits Branch Roy. Asiat. Soc. 44: 198 (1905).
*"Rhaphidophora floresensis" P.C.Boyce, Gard. Bull. Singapore 52: 126 (2000).
*"Rhaphidophora foraminifera" (Engl.) Engl., Pflanzenr., IV, 23B: 45 (1908).
*"Rhaphidophora formosana" Engl., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 25: 10 (1898).
*"Rhaphidophora fortis" P.C.Boyce, Gard. Bull. Singapore 53: 104 (2001).
*"Rhaphidophora geniculata" Engl., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 25: 7 (1898).
*"Rhaphidophora glauca" (Wall.) Schott, Bonplandia (Hannover) 5: 45 (1857).
*"Rhaphidophora gorokensis" P.C.Boyce, Gard. Bull. Singapore 53: 111 (2001).
*"Rhaphidophora guamensis" P.C.Boyce, Gard. Bull. Singapore 53: 112 (2001).
*"Rhaphidophora hayi" P.C.Boyce & Bogner, Gard. Bull. Singapore 52: 91 (2000).
*"Rhaphidophora honkongensis" Schott, Prodr. Syst. Aroid.: 378 (1860).
*"Rhaphidophora hookeri" Schott, Prodr. Syst. Aroid.: 381 (1860).
*"Rhaphidophora intonsa" P.C.Boyce, Gard. Bull. Singapore 53: 119 (2001).
*"Rhaphidophora intrusa" P.C.Boyce, Gard. Bull. Singapore 53: 120 (2001).
*"Rhaphidophora jubata" P.C.Boyce, Gard. Bull. Singapore 53: 124 (2001).
*"Rhaphidophora kokodensis" P.C.Boyce, Gard. Bull. Singapore 53: 127 (2001).
*"Rhaphidophora korthalsii" Schott, Ann. Mus. Bot. Lugduno-Batavi 1: 129 (1863).
*"Rhaphidophora laichauensis" Gagnep., Notul. Syst. (Paris) 9: 137 (1941).
*"Rhaphidophora latevaginata" M.Hotta, Acta Phytotax. Geobot. 22: 4 (1966).
*"Rhaphidophora lobbii" Schott, Prodr. Syst. Aroid.: 379 (1860).
*"Rhaphidophora luchunensis" H.Li, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 15(2): 103 (1977).
*"Rhaphidophora maingayi" Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 543 (1893).
*"Rhaphidophora manipurensis" Engl. & K.Krause, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 45: 659 (1911).
*"Rhaphidophora megaphylla" H.Li, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 15(2): 102 (1977).
*"Rhaphidophora megasperma" Engl., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 25: 8 (1898).
*"Rhaphidophora megastigma" Engl., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 1: 180 (1881).
*"Rhaphidophora microspadix" K.Krause, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 49: 92 (1912).
*"Rhaphidophora mima" P.C.Boyce, Gard. Bull. Singapore 53: 138 (2001).
*"Rhaphidophora minor" Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 544 (1893).
*"Rhaphidophora moluccensis" Engl. & K.Krause in H.G.A.Engler, Pflanzenr., IV, 23B: 36 (1908).
*"Rhaphidophora montana" (Blume) Schott, Ann. Mus. Bot. Lugduno-Batavi 1: 128 (1863).
*"Rhaphidophora monticola" K.Krause, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 44(101): 12 (1910).
*"Rhaphidophora neoguineensis" Engl. in K.M.Schumann & U.M.Hollrung, Fl. Kais. Wilh. Land: 19 (1889).
*"Rhaphidophora nicolsonii" P.C.Boyce, Gard. Bull. Singapore 51: 236 (1999).
*"Rhaphidophora okapensis" P.C.Boyce & Bogner, Gard. Bull. Singapore 52: 94 (2000).
*"Rhaphidophora oligosperma" Alderw., Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg, III, 4: 340 (1922).
*"Rhaphidophora ovoidea" A.Chev., J. Bot. (Morot) 22: 135 (1909).
*"Rhaphidophora pachyphylla" K.Krause, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 49: 92 (1912).
*"Rhaphidophora parvifolia" Alderw., Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg, III, 4: 338 (1922).
*"Rhaphidophora peepla" (Roxb.) Schott, Bonplandia (Hannover) 5: 45 (1857).
*"Rhaphidophora peeploides" Engl., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 25: 7 (1898).
*"Rhaphidophora perkinsiae" Engl., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 37: 115 (1905).
*"Rhaphidophora pertusa" (Roxb.) Schott, Bonplandia (Hannover) 5: 45 (1857).
*"Rhaphidophora petrieana" A.Hay, Telopea 5: 295 (1993).
*"Rhaphidophora philippinensis" Engl. & K.Krause in H.G.A.Engler, Pflanzenr., IV, 23B: 137 (1908).
*"Rhaphidophora pilosa" P.C.Boyce, Gard. Bull. Singapore 53: 151 (2001).
*"Rhaphidophora puberula" Engl., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 1: 180 (1881).
*"Rhaphidophora sabit" P.C.Boyce, Gard. Bull. Singapore 52: 161 (2000).
*"Rhaphidophora sarasinorum" Engl., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 37: 114 (1905).
*"Rhaphidophora schlechteri" K.Krause, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 49: 94 (1912).
*"Rhaphidophora schottii" Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 544 (1893).
*"Rhaphidophora spathacea" Schott, Ann. Mus. Bot. Lugduno-Batavi 1: 129 (1863).
*"Rhaphidophora spuria" (Schott) Nicolson, Allertonia 1: 348 (1978).
*"Rhaphidophora stenophylla" K.Krause, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 49: 94 (1912).
*"Rhaphidophora stolleana" Engl. & K.Krause, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 54: 79 (1916).
*"Rhaphidophora sulcata" Gagnep., Notul. Syst. (Paris) 9: 137 (1941).
*"Rhaphidophora sylvestris" (Blume) Engl. in A.L.P.de Candolle & A.C.P.de Candolle, Monogr. Phan. 2: 239 (1879).
*"Rhaphidophora talamauana" Alderw., Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg, III, 1: 384 (1920).
*"Rhaphidophora tenuis" Engl., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 1: 181 (1881).
*"Rhaphidophora ternatensis" Alderw., Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg, III, 4: 194 (1922).
*"Rhaphidophora tetrasperma" Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 548 (1893).
*"Rhaphidophora teysmanniana" Engl. & K.Krause in H.G.A.Engler, Pflanzenr., IV, 23B: 35 (1908).
*"Rhaphidophora todayensis" K.Krause, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 45: 658 (1911).
*"Rhaphidophora tonkinensis" Engl. & K.Krause in H.G.A.Engler, Pflanzenr., IV, 23B: 34 (1908).
*"Rhaphidophora typha" P.C.Boyce, Gard. Bull. Singapore 57: 211 (2005).
*"Rhaphidophora ustulata" P.C.Boyce, Gard. Bull. Singapore 52: 176 (2000).
*"Rhaphidophora versteegii" Engl. & K.Krause, Nova Guinea 8: 248 (1910).
*"Rhaphidophora waria" P.C.Boyce, Gard. Bull. Singapore 53: 174 (2001).

"Epipremnum aureum" was once categorized in this genus.

Footnotes

References

*cite journal | author=Boyce, P.C.| title=The genus Rhaphidophora Hassk. (Araceae-Monsteroideae-Monstereae) in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore.| journal=Singapore Gardens Bulletin| year=1999| volume=51| page=183-256
*cite journal | author=Boyce, P.C.| title=The genus Rhaphidophora Hassk. (Araceae-Monsteroideae-Monstereae) in the southern and western Indonesian archipelago.| journal=Singapore Gardens Bulletin| year=2000| volume=52| page=101-183
*cite journal | author=Boyce, P.C. and Bogner J.| title=An account of neotenic species of Rhaphidophora Hassk. (Araceae-Monsteroideae-Monstereae) in New Guinea and Australia| journal=Singapore Gardens Bulletin| year=2000| volume=52| page=89-100
*cite journal | author=Boyce, P.C.| title=The genus Rhaphidophora Hassk. (Araceae-Monsteroideae-Monstereae) in the Philippines| journal=Singapore Gardens Bulletin| year=2000| volume=52| page=213-256
*cite journal | author=Boyce, P.C.| title=The genus Rhaphidophora Hassk. (Araceae-Monsteroideae-Monstereae) in Borneo| journal=Singapore Gardens Bulletin| year=2001| volume=53| page=19-75
*cite journal | author=Boyce, P.C.| title=The genus Rhaphidophora Hassk. (Araceae-Monsteroideae-Monstereae) in New Guinea, Australia and the tropical Western Pacific| journal=Singapore Gardens Bulletin| year=2001| volume=53| page=77-187

External links

*http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/home.do was used for this information
*more information can be found on: http://scratchpad.cate-araceae.org/ and http://www.cate-araceae.org/