Back

Hoya diversifolia Blume

Family Name:	Apocynaceae
Common Name:	Akar Kekapal, Akar Serapat, Akar Sesapat, Akar Sedudu Bukit, Caping Kera, 异叶球兰

Semi Shade

Little Water

Moderate Water

Occasional Misting

Native to Singapore

Coastal Plant

Indoor Plant

Suitable for Hanging Baskets

Fragrant Plant

Ornamental Flowers

Climber

Epiphyte

Plant Division	Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form	Climber, Epiphyte
Lifespan (in Singapore)	Perennial

Mode of Nutrition

Autotrophic

Native Distribution	Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Borneo, Java, and the Philippines
Native Habitat	Terrestrial (Coastal Forest), Shoreline (Mangrove Forest)
Preferred Climate Zone	Tropical

Local Conservation Status

Native to Singapore (Vulnerable (VU))

Growth Form	Epiphytic climber, often forming a dense covering on trees branches on which they grow.
Foliage	Its stalked leaves have very thick, and fleshy leaf blades that are elliptic-obovate, and are up to 13 by 6.4 cm.
Flowers	1–20 flowers develop in umbrella-shaped flowering clusters (inflorescence), star-shaped, cream or pink with pink centers, and are 0.8–1.3 cm wide.

Fruit	Its fruits are follicles that would split open at one side when mature, and are up to 15 by 0.6 cm.
Habitat	This species is tolerant of a wide range of habitats and can be found growing on mangrove or coastal trees. In Malaysia, this species can also be found growing on oil palm.
Associated Fauna	Its flowers are insect-pollinated.
Cultivation	It can be propagated by seed or stem cutting.
Etymology	Latin Hoya, commemorates Thomas Hoy, a 18th century head gardener to the Duke of Northumberland at Syon House, Isleworth; Latin diversifolia, variable-leaved
Ethnobotanical Uses	Others: Plant is used in Malay folk medicine (Kuala Kangsar, Peninsular Malaysia) - leaves are boiled in water and the decoction is used for hot baths to treat fevers and rheumatism.

Landscaping	It is suitable for growing in parks, gardens and streetscapes, on trees or on trellises and pergolas.
Desirable Plant Features	Ornamental Flowers, Fragrant
Landscape Uses	Suitable for Hanging Baskets, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, General, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Coastal, Beachfront / Shoreline, Vertical Greenery / Green Wall, Trellis / Arbour / Pergola

Pollination Method(s)	Biotic (Fauna)
Seed or Spore Dispersal	Abiotic

Light Preference	Semi-Shade
Water Preference	Little Water, Moderate Water, Occasional Misting
Plant Growth Rate	Fast to Moderate

Rootzone Tolerance	Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Saline Soils / Salt Spray, Fertile Loamy Soils, Easy to Grow
Propagation Method	Seed, Stem Cutting

Foliar Type	Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem	Opposite
Foliar Attachment to Stem	Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s)	Non-Palm Foliage (Obovate, Elliptical)
Foliar Margin	Entire

Mature Fruit Colour(s)	Brown
Fruit Classification	Simple Fruit
Fruit Type	Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Follicle

Images

Master ID	117
Species ID	1413
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.