Homalomena philippinensis

Homalomena philippinensis
Homalomena philippinensis in Mindanao, Philippines
Original botanical illustration of Homalomena philippinensis (left) by Adolf Engler (1912)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Alismatales
Family: Araceae
Genus: Homalomena
Species:
H. philippinensis
Binomial name
Homalomena philippinensis
Synonyms[1]
  • Homalomena rubescens var. latifolia Engl.

Homalomena philippinensis is a species of flowering plants in the family Araceae. It is native to the Philippines and Orchid Island in Taiwan.[1] The plant has large heart-shaped leaves that grow up to around 1 m (3.3 ft) tall from an underground corm. It grows at low elevations usually in forests and along bodies of water.[2][3] It is commonly known as payau or payaw, alupayi or alopayi, salet, or tahig, among other names.[2]

H. philippinensis is commonly grown as an ornamental plant. The petioles of the leaves have a sweet chewing gum scent when crushed. The leaves are used in Philippine folk medicine and for wrapping food in Philippine cuisine.[2][3][4]

References

  1. ^ a b "Homalomena philippinensis Engl". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Brown, William H., ed. (1921). Minor Products of Philippine Forests. Manila: Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Bureau of Forestry. p. 90.
  3. ^ a b Fern, Ken. "Homalomena philippinensis". Tropical Plants Database. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  4. ^ Garcia, Janice Susaya; Borja, Nanette; Sevilla-Nastor, Janice B.; Villanueva, Jessica D.; Peyraube, Nicolas (2018). "An Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants and Perceptions on Plant Biodiversity Conservation in Leyte, Philippines". Journal of Human Ecology (7): 26–42.


Stub icon

This Araceae-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.