Taxonomic contributions to the genus Homalomena (Araceae) in Western Malesia: three new species from Sumatra discovered through the ornamental plant trade

Abstract

Three new species of Sumatran Homalomena are described herein: H. pachyderma, H. pulopadangensis, and H. uncinata. These taxa first came to scientific attention through their circulation as ornamental plants on social media, where horticulturists and collectors shared images of morphologically distinctive but unidentified specimens. This highlights the growing role of digital platforms in revealing undocumented biodiversity, especially in Sumatra. Although initially recognized from cultivation, detailed morphological examination demonstrates that these taxa represent species new to science, clearly distinct from all previously described Sumatran Homalomena.