Hornstedtia havilandii

Hornstedtia havilandii, also known as panyun (in Iban) or telidus (in Sabah), is a species of flowering plant, a perennial tropical forest herb in the ginger family, that is endemic to Borneo.[1]

Hornstedtia havilandii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Zingiberales
Family: Zingiberaceae
Genus: Hornstedtia
Species:
H. havilandii
Binomial name
Hornstedtia havilandii

Description edit

The species grows as a clump of leafy shoots forming pseudostems to 3–4 m in height from branching rhizomes. The inflorescence, 20–40 cm tall, rises directly from the rhizome. The flowers are red with white lips. The rectangular, edible fruits, 3 x 1.5 cm, ripen cream to yellow, containing many small black seeds in a translucent whitish aril.[1]

Distribution and habitat edit

The species is found in the lowland and mixed dipterocarp forest, as well as riparian forest, at elevations of up to 1,000 m.[1]

Usage edit

The species is rarely cultivated. The fruits have a passionfruit flavour and are eaten raw. The shoots may be cooked and eaten as a vegetable.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d Lamb, Anthony (2019). A guide to wild fruits of Borneo. Kota Kinabalu: Natural History Publications (Borneo). p. 274. ISBN 978-983-812-191-0.