Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber, Epiphyte |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Sabah |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A small, epiphytic climber with branching stems, up to 2 m long. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | The leaf blade is elliptic to oblong, measuring up to 6 x 1.5 cm, thick and fleshy with acute apex, and no visible venation. The leaf surface is dull green with silvery to white markings. |
| Flowers | The inflorescence is flat, around 5 cm in diameter, each cluster consists of up to 20 flowers. Flower is 7 - 10 mm in diameter, apricot to pinkish cream. |
| Habitat | Found in lowland to hill mixed dipterocarp forest and heath forests. |
| Cultivation | Locally, this species is grown primarily for its attractive leaves as they do not appear to be as floriferous as the other commonly cultivated Hoya species such as H obscura and H lacunosa |
| Etymology | The genus Hoya means wax-flower. The specific epithet sigillatis is derived from the Latin sigillate, meaning, with the surface marked with seal-like impressions, in reference to the leaves. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Small Gardens, Container Planting, Suitable for Hanging Baskets |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Toxic Upon Ingestion |
| Usage Hazard - Cons Remarks | Avoid contact with milky/ white sap as it may cause skin irritation in certain individuals. Keep plants away from children and pets as sap could be toxic. |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Pest(s) | Sucking Insects |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Patterned |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Thick |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical, Oblong) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Pink |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Velvety / Furry / Tomentose |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Stellate / Star-shaped |
| Inflorescence Type | Umbel |
| Flower Colour(s) Remarks | Flowers buff pink/ gold. |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 30869 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5244 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
