A common root climber in the tropical rainforests of North Queensland, where it often attains a considerable height.

Needle Berry - Rhaphidophera australasica - Photo by Bill Hinton

The glossy leaves may grow to 40cm in length and can be as much as 15cm across.

The growing stems terminate in an inflorescence. Each inflorescence is an erect spike, densely covered with tiny flowers and emerges from a pale green spathe. The spathe is shed as a disregarded cloak.

This plant makes a handsome indoor plant or an interesting subject for a damp shaded rockery in the tropics. The fruits, which are fleshy berries contain twenty to thirty seeds.

NEEDLE BERRY propagates easily from cuttings.