Homalomena sagittifolia (PROSEA)

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Plant Resources of South-East Asia Introduction

List of species

Homalomena sagittifolia Jungh. ex Schott

Protologue: Prodr. Syst. Aroid.: 311 (1860).

Vernacular names

• Malaysia: kelemoyang, kemoyang, semunyong (Peninsular)
• Thailand: bon som (Pattani).

Distribution

Peninsular Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra and northern Borneo.

Uses

In Peninsular Malaysia a decoction of leaves and roots is used to treat fever, and pounded shoots are applied as a poultice against stomach-ache.

Observations

• A fairly large herb up to 60 cm tall, stem erect, stout, up to 5 cm in diameter, vegetative parts strongly aromatic.
• Leaves ovate-sagittate with spreading lobes, up to 30 cm long.
• Spathe up to 10 cm long, constricted in upper part, greenish-white or white, often tinged pink at apex, spadix slightly shorter than spathe.

H. sagittifolia is a variable species in which several varieties can be distinguished. It occurs in lowland forest and is locally common.

Selected sources

121, 789.

Main genus page

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Authors

Harini M. Sangat