u/vespirs

Three years ago, I created a sheet for what was then Hoya rubida, and mentioned anticipating this group to be addressed in upcoming work on New Guinea taxonomy. I am pleased to relay that that work is now out into the world, courtesy of the incredible Nathalie Simonsson and Michele Rodda. Within the new book, both Hoya lamingtoniae and Hoya rubida are cited as synonyms of Hoya globulifera, bringing much appreciated clarity to this former group. I thought it would be fitting to remake the sheet to reflect and honor the years of work it took for us to receive this determination. A widespread endemic species to New Guinea with gorgeous flowers which can range from the typical mauvy colors to pale yellows and deep maroon-blacks.

This is the prevalent undescribed collection extracted from Camiguin de Babuyanes, which is often mislabeled in the trade as several other Conchophyllum species (notably D. imbricata and D. platyphylla). It shares morphological similarities with D. cleistantha, and smells wonderful when in flower.

Dischidia ‘SUPHA08’ (D. vidalii x D. sp. Camiguin Island) growing with H. linearis on the left, cultivated selection of Dischidia ovata on the right. Along with some various Huperzia and a backwards D. astephana mount. They have always seemed to love growing in these wooden orchid baskets for me.💚

There are several other ones that I can’t even get in my hand for the photo, there’s currently 16 umbels in various stages of blooming. If you’re trying to bloom H. verticillata, throw it outside for the season. : )

This species has a wide range, extending from Burma to New Guinea, and displays a large level of intraspecific variation, showing plasticity in size, shape, and color of leaves and flowers. It is commonly observed at lower elevations in situ, growing on small, high branches of trees in nearly full sun.

A number of clones are present within circulation, with the yellow flowered phenotype shown here resembling a collection from the Philippines. This clone’s leaves reach the upper limit of size for this species, and it is sometimes sold with descriptors like “large form” or “yellow flower”. I’ve compared it with a purple flowered phenotype I’ve also bloomed to see some of the morphological differences between the two clones. The most notable difference (besides the color) is the purple phenotype’s slightly taller, more narrow corona column.

This species has always been a joy to grow, and in my experience is pretty lax in terms of what it will tolerate. I struggled to find a leaf that was even somewhat green to photograph as I grow it in really high levels of light which turn the tops of the leaves bright red to maroon/purple. Pretty prolifically and consistently flowering in these conditions.🙂

Hoya buotii, a Philippine species with over 20 color variants observed.

I took some time away from social media as my health got hard to manage around the holidays. But I’m feeling better, and am hoping to be more active around here again! I hope everyone has been well.🫶