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