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]
| Homalomena philippinensis | |
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| Homalomena philippinensis in Mindanao, Philippines | |
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| Original botanical illustration of Homalomena philippinensis (left) by Adolf Engler (1912) | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Alismatales |
| Family: | Araceae |
| Genus: | Homalomena |
| Species: | H. philippinensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Homalomena philippinensis | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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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 edit
- ^ a b "Homalomena philippinensis Engl". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b Fern, Ken. "Homalomena philippinensis". Tropical Plants Database. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
- ^ 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.
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