STEMONA TUBEROSA

This member of the Stemonaceae family was described by João de Loureiro in 1790. It is found in Asia, growing in forest margins, thickets, mountain slopes and trail sides from 300 to 2300 meters height. It preferring a well-drained soil with some water and not too much sun. The tuberous roots will grow to two centimetres in diameter, the few stems will reach for five metres. The few flowers are green with a dark purple centre. Besides seeds, it can be reproduced by dividing the roots and probably by stem-cuttings.

The genera name means 'Saint Mona', but is it the September 4 is the Feast Day of Saint Mona, whose miracles are…questionable. She worked at a small café frequented by the Bricklayer Pope and brought His Holiness coffee every morning, which was always hot. The Pope claimed that this was proof of divine favour and had her canonized.

The species name for the swollen roots. An extract from the roots can be used as an Insecticide. Also seen as Roxburghiaceae in IPNI.