Botanists discover new Hoya subspecies

MANILA, Philippines — Botanists of the Department of Science and Technology-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) have discovered a new subspecies of the Hoya plant that they found in Atimonan, Quezon province.

While the Hoya (meliflua Merr. subsp. escobinae Kloppenb. Conda, Buot and Pitargue) was discovered by DOST forresters Jennifer Conda, Fernando Pitargue Jr. and Ramiro Escobin who added it to the International Plant Names Index (IPNI) in 2016, the new subspecies remains the most recent among Hoya species and subspecies.

Conda said they had found the particular subspecies in the Quezon Protected Landscape in 2012.

“When we collected the plant, it did not flower immediately,” Conda told The STAR. “So from the cutting, we had to wait for it to grow.”

She said they sent samples to the renowned expert on Hoyas, US-based Dale Kloppenburg, as soon as plants began to flower.

“Our team collected cuttings from the protected landscape. After the first flowers bloomed, we sent samples to Dr. Dale Kloppenburg. He confirmed that it was a new subspecies, which showed several similarities with Hoya meliflua Blanco ex Merr. but with some notable differences,” Conda said, adding results were published in a publication devoted to studies about Hoya and the plant listed in the IPNI.

Known for its ball-like cluster of waxy flowers, the Hoya plant is a favorite among many flower enthusiasts especially in Asia. 

According to Conda, the calyx lobes (sepals) of the new subspecies are tongue-like and long, as compared to the broadly oval to oblong of the Hoya meliflua Blanco. Its corolla lobes (petals), meanwhile, are elongated and have serrated edge, in contrast to the latter’s broadly triangular lobes. 

“Of the 109 Hoya species recorded in the country, 39 species and three subspecies are found in Quezon province. It is no wonder that another subspecies was uncovered in the same area,” Conda explained.

 Also called wax plant, wax vine, wax flower or shooting star, Hoya is an Asian native plant that usually creeps or climbs. It has thick, waxy leaves and a cluster of flowers that holds up to 40 individual flowers firmly packed together.