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Hoya carnosa (L.f.) R.Br.
| Family Name: | Apocynaceae |
| Common Name: | Wax Plant, Wax Flower, Porcelain Flower |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | India, South China |
|---|
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Herbaceous vine with a trailing growth habit. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Fleshy, glossy leaves are ovate with entire leaf margin. Leaf arrangement is opposite with leaves occuring in pairs. |
| Flowers | Star-shaped flowers are white with a faint pink tint and have a smaller, white star-shaped centre which is red in the middle. |
| Fruit | Small, dry fruits are known as pods. |
| Cultivation | Plant in fertile, well-drained soil, like sandy loam and keep the soil moist. Flowers are produced on a leafless stem known as a spur. Do not prune the spur, because new blossoms will be produced by the same spur. This species grows well when slightly rootbound, so delay re-potting until the roots grow through the drainage holes. |
| Etymology | The genus "Hoya" was named after Thomas Hoy, an English gardener of the early 1800s. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Fragrant (Flowers), Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Suitable for Hanging Baskets, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant |
| 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
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Butterfly Host Plant (Leaves) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Little Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Easy to Grow, Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting, Air-Layering |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Leathery, Thick |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White, Red |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Waxy, Sticky |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 115 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1411 |
| 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. |
