Rhaphidophora decursiva 'Dragon Tail'

Origins and cultivation

Rhaphidophora decursiva ranges from the Indian subcontinent through Bangladesh, Assam and the eastern Himalaya to southern China and Indochina. It is a root-climbing vine of wet tropical and subtropical forest, ascending both tree trunks and rock.

Its change from small whole juvenile leaves near the ground to enormous divided leaves higher on a support is part of an Asian canopy-climbing strategy. Adhesive roots anchor the stem, while separate feeding roots use organic material collected on the support. The Dragon Tail name refers to the outline of mature leaves and was applied to a species with a broad Asian forest range.

Growing a supported aroid

Growth and support: Rhaphidophora ‘Dragon Tail’ needs bright, filtered light and a tall, rough support to progress towards large, divided foliage. A free-hanging or repeatedly shortened vine commonly produces smaller, less divided leaves. Use moderate feeding while the plant is actively growing, and keep the aerial roots in contact with the support. A rooted top cutting usually continues more mature growth, while a lower single-node cutting may begin again with smaller leaves before it climbs and matures.

Watering: Use a coarse aroid mix with generous bark and porous mineral particles, plus enough fine organic material to hold moderate moisture without closing the air spaces. Permanent saturation causes oxygen loss and root rot, while severe drought damages active root tips and developing leaves.

Health checks for Rhaphidophora decursiva 'Dragon Tail'

A climbing stem produces larger, more divided leaves only after sustained upward growth with good support contact and adequate light. A trailing, repeatedly cut or newly restarted shoot may return to smaller simple foliage. This is developmental, not a disease. Attach the stem and aerial roots to a tall, rough support and improve filtered light gradually. Judge progress across several new leaf-bearing stem joints rather than from a single leaf.

One ageing lower leaf is normal. Several yellow leaves combined with a wet, slow-drying mix suggest root stress, while curled limp foliage above a dry root ball indicates water shortage. Check roots before watering again. Remove soft, dark roots and reduce excess pot volume. If rot has advanced, preserve firm stem sections that include a leaf-bearing joint capable of reshooting. A detached leaf stalk without a section of stem and a leaf-bearing joint cannot restart the vine.

Silvery feeding scars, black specks and distorted unfurling leaves indicate thrips; mites leave finer pale stippling, sometimes with webbing. Inspect leaf undersides, stem joints and the support, and move the vine away from other plants if pests are found. Follow the treatment directions for the identified pest. Brown scars where ties cross the stem or leaf stalks are mechanical damage, so loosen fastenings and secure only the stem without restricting its thickening.

Rhaphidophora decursiva ‘Dragon Tail’ is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing may cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after exposure, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

How did Rhaphidophora decursiva get its name?

Rhaphidophora combines Greek rhaphis, meaning needle, with phorein, meaning to bear, referring to the needle-like raphide crystals in its tissues. The Latin epithet decursiva means running down and describes leaf tissue that continues along its supporting axis.

Justus Carl Hasskarl established the genus Rhaphidophora in 1842 in Flora, volume 25, issue 2, supplement 1, page 11.

William Roxburgh first described it as Pothos decursivus in 1820 in Flora Indica, volume 1, page 456. Heinrich Wilhelm Schott later placed it in Rhaphidophora as Rhaphidophora decursiva in 1857 in Bonplandia (Hannover), volume 5, page 45.