Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Epiphyte, Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Borneo |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A terrestrial to epiphytic climber, growing to 5 m long. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Petioles are usually 1 - 3 cm long and recurved. Leaf is elliptic to lanceolate, thick, measuring up to 25 cm long and 9 cm wide. Leaf blade has dark green pinnate venation, with irregular and rough margin. |
| Stems | Glabrous, branching. |
| Flowers | Flowers are 8 - 10 mm in diameter, with mild fragrance. Flowers are borne on clusters, 4 - 5 cm in diameter, with each cluster having 20 - 40 flowers, held by 1 -3 cm peduncle. Flowers are pale yellow to brownish gold to cream. |
| Fruit | Fruits are linear, measuring up to 12 cm long. |
| Habitat | Found in dipterocarp hill, heath forest, at 300 - 600 m but can be as high as 1000 m. |
| Etymology | The genus Hoya means Thomas Hoy, a gardener at Sion House for the Duke of Northumberland, wax flower. The specific epithet callistophylla is from kallisto, meaning most beautiful, and phylum leaf, referring to the beautiful vein of leaves. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage, Fragrant (Flowers) |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Small Gardens, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Container Planting, Suitable for Hanging Baskets |
| Thematic Landscaping | Fragrant / Aromatherapy Garden |
| 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, Occasional Misting |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils, Easy to Grow |
| Planting Remarks | Use a well drained, porous potting mix/ blend suitable for epiphytic plants |
| Pest(s) | Sucking Insects |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Green - Light Green, Patterned |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery, Thick |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire - Wavy / Undulate |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Brown, Cream / Off-White, White, Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Waxy |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Stellate / Star-shaped |
| Inflorescence Type | Umbel |
| Flower Lifespan on Plant | 1 Day |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32492 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6904 |
| 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. |
