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Hoya multiflora Blume
Apocynaceae |
Shooting Stars, 蜂出巢, 流星球兰 |
Name
Family Name |
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Genus Epithet |
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Species Epithet |
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Name Authority |
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Name Status (botanical) |
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Common Names |
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Classifications and Characteristics
Plant Division |
Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
Plant Growth Form |
Shrub (Trailing) |
Lifespan (in Singapore) |
Perennial |
Mode of Nutrition |
Autotrophic |
Biogeography
Native Distribution |
Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Borneo. |
Native Habitat |
Terrestrial |
Preferred Climate Zone |
Tropical |
Local Conservation Status 1 |
Exotic (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
Growth Form |
An epiphytic shrub which can grow up to 2.5 m tall. |
Foliage |
Leaf blade is elliptic, measuring 12 - 20 cm x 2 - 7 cm, base cuneate and apex acuminate, with pinnate venation. Petiole is 1 - 2 cm long. |
Stems |
Stems can be erect or decumbent, pale grey in colour, but turn yellowish when dry with persistent leaf scars. |
Flowers |
Flowers are borne on clusters, 20 - 50 flowers per cluster, which has short peduncle of 2 - 5 cm long. Sweet-scented the flower is 1.5 - 2.5 cm in diameter, with reflexed white to cream corolla lobes and yellow to pale orange apices. |
Fruits |
Fruit is linear, around 20 cm long and 6 mm wide. |
Habitat |
It is found growing as epiphytes on trees in lowland, and hilly mixed dipterocarp forests, mangroves and limestone forest. |
Similar |
Can be distinguished from other Hoya species by having a shrub growth habit, with a very distinct 'shooting-star' like flowers. |
Etymology |
The genus Hoya is named for wax flower.
The specific epithet multiflora means many-flowered, which refers to the large number of flowers, often 30 - 40 per inflorescence. |
Landscaping Features
Desirable Plant Features |
Ornamental Flowers, Fragrant (Flowers) |
Plant & Rootzone Preference - Tolerance |
Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
Landscape Uses |
Hanging Basket, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Small Gardens |
Plant Care and Propagation
Light Preference |
Semi-Shade |
Water Preference |
Little Water |
Potential Problems |
No serious pests or disease problems. |
Propagation Method |
Stem Cutting |
Foliar
Foliage Retention |
Evergreen |
Mature Foliage Colour(s) |
Green |
Mature Foliage Texture(s) |
Smooth, Thick |
Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) |
Green |
Foliar Type |
Simple / Unifoliate |
Foliar Venation |
Pinnate / Net |
Foliar Margin |
Entire |
Foliar Apex - Tip |
Acute |
Foliar Base |
Cuneate |
Floral (Angiosperm)
Flower & Plant Sexuality 1 |
Bisexual Flowers |
Flower Colour(s) |
White, Yellow / Golden |
Flower Grouping |
Cluster / Inflorescence |
Flower Location |
Axillary, Terminal |
Flower Symmetry |
Radial |
Individual Flower Shape |
Stellate / Star-shaped |
Inflorescence Type |
Umbel |
Flowering Period |
Free-Flowering |
Others
Master ID |
120 |
Species ID |
1416 |
Species record last updated on: 16 May 2019.