Homalomena lingua-felis

This Homalomena has been long time cultivated in our nurseries and finally turns out that it is a new species! It was added to our collection because of the distinctive foliage and its name refers to the upper leaf surface, which is covered with thick hairs, creating a texture like a cat's tongue. The name lingua-felis comes from the Latin words lingua and feles, which mean tongue and cat. These sandpaper textures are also assumed to facilitate the movement of water by forming channels, guilding water away from the leaf surface. This evolution promotes the plant to thrive in persistently wet conditions, as it was found as a lithophyt near the splash-zones of waterfalls in North Sumatra.

In cultivation this aroid does not need to grow in water or constant wet conditions. Instead, the major key to success is relatively high humidity and good air circulation environment. Higher light level (950-1,300 Lux) maintains the plant in beautiful form.

Offered are starter plants, established in 4" pot