Hoya
Encyclopedia : H : HO : HOY : Hoya
For other uses, see Hoya (disambiguation) or Georgetown Hoyas.
Hoya is a genus of 200-230 species of tropical climbing plants in the family Apocynaceae, native to southern Asia (India east to southern China and southward), Australia, and Polynesia. Common names for this genus are waxplant, waxvine, waxflower or simply hoya. This genus was named by botanist Robert Brown, in honour of his friend, botanist Thomas Hoy.
Hoyas are evergreen climbing vines or shrubs growing to 1-10 m (or more with suitable support in trees). They have simple opposite leaves 5-30 cm long that are typically succulent, and in many species are flecked with irregular small silvery spots.
The flowers appear in axillary umbellate clusters at the apex of 2-3 cm peduncles, with repeated clusters of flowers developing sequentially on each peduncle. The flowering peduncles get 2-3 mm longer with each flowering, and can eventually reach 7 cm or more long; the base of the peduncle is smooth, with growth subsequent to the first flowering of the peduncle is rough with numerous tiny bracts. Each flower is about 1 cm diameter, with five thick, waxy, triangular petals; colours range from white to pink or yellow. They are sweetly scented and produce abundant nectar.
Cultivation and uses
Many species are popular houseplants in temperate areas (especially H. carnosa), grown for their attractive foliage and strongly scented flowers. Numerous cultivars have been selected for garden use.
as a houseplant
Image:Hoya carnosa1.jpg|Hoya carnosa
Inflorescence peduncle, several years old
Image:Hoya carnosa inflorescence ies.jpg|Hoya carnosa
Inflorescence
Image:Furrystarfish ies.jpg|Hoya carnosa
Single flower
Selected species
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