Homalomena

Homalomena is a genus of flowering plants in the family Araceae. Homalomena are native to tropical Asia and China.^[1][2][3] Many Homalomena have a strong smell of anise. The name derives apparently from a mistranslated Malayan vernacular name, translated as homalos, meaning flat, and mene = moon.

Homalomena
Homalomena rubescens
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Alismatales
Family:	Araceae
Subfamily:	Aroideae
Tribe:	Homalomeneae
Genus:	Homalomena Schott[1]
Diversity
c. 160 species
Synonyms[1]
Chamaecladon Miq. Curmeria Linden & André Cyrtocladon Griff. Diandriella Engl. Spirospatha Raf.

The plants of this genus are clump-forming evergreen perennials with mainly heart-shaped or arrowheaded shaped leaves. The flowers are tiny and without petals, enclosed in a usually greenish spathe hidden by the leaves.^[4]

Some authors have proposed splitting the genus and moving all the neotropical species of Homalomena to Adelonema.^[5][6][7][8]

Homalomena occulta

Selected species

Main article: List of Homalomena species

• Homalomena expedita A.Hay & Hersc. – Borneo (Sarawak)
• Homalomena philippinensis Engl. – Philippines, Taiwan (Lanyu Island)

See also

• Schismatoglottis