| Homalomena | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| Order: | Alismatales |
| Family: | Araceae |
| Subfamily: | Aroideae |
| Tribe: | Homalomeneae |
| Genus: | Homalomena |
Homalomena is a genus of flowering plants within the family Araceae. It is estimated to be composed of approximately 80 to 150 species. Homalomena are primarily found in southern Asia and the southwestern Pacific, but there are a few species that are known to be indigenous to South America. Many Homalomena have a strong smell of anise. The name derives apparently from a mi-translated Malayan vernacular name, translated as homalos, meaning flat, and mene = moon.
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.
The Tamils knew of this plant for more than 3000 years. It is called merugu (Tamil: மெருகு ) and it is used for several purposes including curing stomach disorders, piles, flem etc. Several oils like kumaraguru enney; merugulli enney, merugu pachai enneyetc. are prepared to cure various type of diseases.
Homalomena wallisii is occasionally seen as a cultivated plant.