Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Epiphyte |
|---|---|
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Plant Shape | Weeping / Pendulous, Leggy |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Borneo (Western Sarawak, Sabah, Kalimantan) |
|---|---|
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Leafless, shrub like Hoya species with weeping form. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves tiny, caducous; modified penduncles (stalk of the infloresence) to 30cm long, persistent, cylindrical, photosynthetically active. |
| Flowers | Flowers small, corolla orange yellow, corona white or cream with yellow center. |
| Others - Plant Morphology | This is one of the few Hoya species that exhibits unique adaptations to cope with growing in nutrient poor environments . The seeds are ant dispersed, and ants carry these back to their nests where they will eventually germinate, tapping on a ready supply of nutrients from waste material that the ants accumulate (ant carton). |
| Habitat | Ant carton epiphyte in Kerangas (forests on nutrient poor sites); often rooted in hollows in trees or growing in association with other ant plants such as Dischidia spp. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Form |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Small Gardens, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Container Planting, Hanging Basket |
| Usage Hazard - Cons Remarks | Avoid contact with 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 | Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Ant, Beetle)) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water, Occasional Misting, [Remarks] (Allow media to dry out inbetween waterings) |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Maintenance Requirements | Low |
| Fertilizing | Dilute liquid fertilizer to be applied to growing media fortnightly or monthly |
| Pest(s) | Sucking Insects |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden, Orange |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Velvety / Furry / Tomentose |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flowering Period | After Rain |
| Flowering Opening Time | Night (dusk to dawn) |
| Flower Lifespan on Plant | 1 Night |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31011 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5398 |
| 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. |
