Revision of Homalomena (Araceae-Homalomeneae) in New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago and Solomon Islands

The genus Homalomena Schott is revised for New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago and Solomon Islands. 19 species are recognised, of which 10 are new to science. Three are rheophytes. Homalomena novoguineensis Engl., H. klossii Ridl., H. ledermannii Engl. & K. Krause, H. moskowskii Engl. & K. Krause and H. carrii Furtado are reduced to the synonymy of H. schlechteri Engl. Homalomena apiculata Ridl., H. engleri Bogner and Diandriella novoguineensis Engl. are reduced to the synonymy of H. stollei Engl. & K. Krause. Homalomena versteegii Engl. and H. lilacina Alderw. are synonyms of H. lauterbachii Engl. and H. inaequalis Ridl. is a synonym of H. distans Ridl. The cultivated Homalomena lindenii (Rodigas) Ridl., allegedly from Papuasia, could not be matched with any species in the area under study and is left as a species dubia. Medicinal and ritual uses, including alleged psychoactive properties, are noted.