Cercestis mirabilis

Nephthytis picturata, N.E.Br. 1887
Nephthytis picturata var. angustata, N.E.Br. 1887
Rhektophyllum congense, De Wild. & T.Durand 1901
Rhektophyllum mirabile, N.E.Br. 1882

mirabilis = great, marvellous

epiphytic climbing in warm and humid tropical climates at low altitudes, no exact data available

Most aroids come from South America and Asia, but there are also interesting representatives in Africa: Cercestis mirabilis is a rare, slow-growing and exceptional plant from this continent.
Cercestis mirabilis is a typical example of ontogeny, which is often found with Aroids: young plants have very beautiful white veining and markings, and their growth reminds one of Philodendron. With increasing age these patterns disappear, the leaves change their colouring and form slits and holes in the leaves, they now resemble Monstera. As with Syngonium, vegetative propagation takes place via runners, but these only form on very old plants.
Dr. Josef Bogner has worked intensively on the African Araceae and transferred this species to the new genus Cercestis.