Homalomena occulta Schott

Rhizome creeping; terminal part of stem erect, 30-50 cm tall; cataphylls and prophylls linear-lanceolate, 15-16 × ca. 2.5 cm. Petiole 25-40 cm, proximal part with 2-5 mm wide sheath; leaf blade sagittate-cordate, 15-30 × (8-)15-28 cm or usually more; primary veins 7 per side, 2-4 of these basal, downward to basal lobes and then arching into leaf margin, secondary and tertiary ones thinner, numerous. Inflorescences 1-3 together; peduncle shorter than petioles, 10-15 cm. Spathe pale green, oblong or elliptic, 5-6.5 × 3-3.2 cm, fusiform before anthesis, distal part slightly spreading and shortly boat-shaped at anthesis, 5-6 cm wide when spread out completely, apex with a beak ca. 1 cm. Spadix sessile or shortly stipitate, 3-5 cm; female zone 1-1.5 cm × 4-5 mm; ovary oblong, 3-loculed, with 1 staminode at side of base; ovules numerous; placentation axile; stigma disciform; male zone 2-3 cm × 3-4 mm. Seeds brown, oblong. Fl. Jul-Sep.

Dense valley forests, bamboo forests, mountain shrub forests; at elevations up to 1,100 metres. Along stream banks and on the sides of rocky ravines in mountainous regions.

The stem and leaves are cooked or roasted in bamboo.

Can be grown by seedlings.