Homalomena philippinensis
Engl.
Araceae
Homalomena rubescens latifolia Engl.
Common Name:
General Information
Homalomena philippinensis is a perennial plant producing clusters of large, heart-shaped leaves from an underground corm. The plant grows about 1 metre tall[
345- Title
- Minor Products of Philippine Forests
- Publication
-
- Author
- Brown. W. H.
- Publisher
- Bureau of Forestry, Manilla.
- Year
- 1920
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A useful guide to some of the plants of the area, though terse on details. The book is out of copyright and can be legally downloaded from the Internet.
].
The large leaves are gathered from the wild and used for wrapping food. The plant also has local medicinal uses.
Known Hazards
Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, it belongs to a family where most of the members contain calcium oxalate crystals. This substance is toxic fresh and, if eaten, makes the mouth, tongue and throat feel as if hundreds of small needles are digging in to them. However, calcium oxalate is easily broken down either by thoroughly cooking the plant or by fully drying it and, in either of these states, it is safe to eat the plant.
People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones and hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet[
238- Title
- Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bown. D.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley, London.
- Year
- 1995
- ISBN
- 0-7513-020-31
- Description
- A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
].
Botanical References
589- Title
- Leaflets of Philippine Botany Vol. 10.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Elmer A.D.E. (Editor)
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1939
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Various plant articles. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
Range
Southeast Asia - Taiwan to the Philippines.
Habitat
Wet, black, humus covered soil of thickets and woods at elevations around 300 metres[
589- Title
- Leaflets of Philippine Botany Vol. 10.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Elmer A.D.E. (Editor)
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1939
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Various plant articles. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. Along small streams in primary forests at low elevations in the Philippines[
465- Title
- An Enumeration of Philippine Flowering Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
- Merrill E.D.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Bureau of Science, Manila.
- Year
- 1925
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Mainly a list of plant names, plus some synonyms, giving details of where the name was published. Also gives a note on the range of the plant, its habitat and local names. Unfortunately, it does not even give a brief description of the plant.
].
Properties
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Perennial |
| Height | 1.00 m |
| Pollinators | Insects |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
The base of the petioles, when pulled off, has a very sweet chewing-gum odour especially when the tissues are crushed[
589- Title
- Leaflets of Philippine Botany Vol. 10.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Elmer A.D.E. (Editor)
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1939
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Various plant articles. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
The rhizomes are used as an embrocation to treat rheumatism[
46- Title
- Dictionary of Economic Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Uphof. J. C. Th.
- Publisher
- Weinheim
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
345- Title
- Minor Products of Philippine Forests
- Publication
-
- Author
- Brown. W. H.
- Publisher
- Bureau of Forestry, Manilla.
- Year
- 1920
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A useful guide to some of the plants of the area, though terse on details. The book is out of copyright and can be legally downloaded from the Internet.
,
360- Title
- Philippine Medicinal Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.stuartxchange.org/CompleteList.html
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A lovely site, giving brief details on the medicinal uses of several hundred (over 400 at the last count) plants in the Philippines, plus a picture of each plant.
].
The leaves are vulnerary[
360- Title
- Philippine Medicinal Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.stuartxchange.org/CompleteList.html
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A lovely site, giving brief details on the medicinal uses of several hundred (over 400 at the last count) plants in the Philippines, plus a picture of each plant.
].
Other Uses
The large leaves are used for wrapping food[
345- Title
- Minor Products of Philippine Forests
- Publication
-
- Author
- Brown. W. H.
- Publisher
- Bureau of Forestry, Manilla.
- Year
- 1920
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A useful guide to some of the plants of the area, though terse on details. The book is out of copyright and can be legally downloaded from the Internet.
,
360- Title
- Philippine Medicinal Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.stuartxchange.org/CompleteList.html
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A lovely site, giving brief details on the medicinal uses of several hundred (over 400 at the last count) plants in the Philippines, plus a picture of each plant.
].
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
