Three new hoya varieties—Hoya ilagiorum 'Moonlight,' H. ilagiorum 'Sunkissed,' and H. ilagiorum 'Starburst'—have been officially registered to the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC).
These varieties are outputs of the two projects led by Dr. Maria Luisa D. Guevarra of the Institute of Plant Breeding of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (IPB-UPLB).
From left to right: Hoya ilagiorum 'Moonlight', H. ilagiorum 'Sunkissed', and H. ilagiorum 'Starburst'. (Image Credit: IPB-UPLB)
The ongoing project, "Varietal Development in Philippine Native Hoyas," funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) played a key role in the mass propagation and NSIC registration of the three new varieties.
Meanwhile, the IPB-core funded project, "Genetic Diversity Conservation, Utilization, and Improvement in Philippine Ornamentals: Mussaenda, Medinilla, Hoya, Foliage, and Flowering Trees," was instrumental in their evaluation and characterization.
Hoya ilagiorum ‘Moonlight’. (Image Credit: IPB-UPLB)
According to Dr. Guevarra, the initial evaluation of the hoyas started in 2012–2013, following their full characterization in 2019–2020, and mass propagation in 2020–2023. These steps confirmed their distinct traits, which subsequently led to their approval from NSIC.
Hoya ilagiorum ‘Moonlight’
Moonlight is identified as a woody climbing vine with lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate shape, shiny, light green leaves that have a prominent midrib vein above and below.
It has a dainty creamy yellow inflorescence consisting of 31–112 individual flowers forming a semi-globose to globose umbel. Meanwhile, the center of its corolla has a glossy white star-shaped corona with five lobes pointing upward. It also emits a strong ginger-like scent upon flower bud opening and completes its flowering cycle in 21–35 days.
Hoya ilagiorum ‘Sunkissed’. (Image Credit: IPB-UPLB)
Hoya ilagiorum ‘Sunkissed’
Sunkissed has a climbing habit that stands out with its striking ovate-lanceolate to ovate-elliptical leaves. Some of its leaves also have red midribs and veins, making them appealing even without the flowers.
Its semi-globose to globose umbel comprises 37–73 individual flowers with a shiny and highly reflexed corolla in varying shades of yellow-orange with brownish-pink edges. Its translucent white corona has a slight tinge of pink along the edge of the inner lobe. Its flowering cycle completes in 17–33 days.
Hoya ilagiorum ‘Starburst’
Hoya ilagiorum ‘Starburst’. (Image Credit: IPB-UPLB)
Starburst has a vigorous climbing vine with woody stems, along with shiny and light green ovate-lanceolate leaves.
Its semi-globose umbel holds 21–81 individual flowers with a unique color combination. Its creamy yellow corolla features a reddish outline along the edges, which forms a band-like pattern. Its center has a glossy, mallow purple corona. This variety completes its flowering cycle in 23–28 days.
The NSIC registration of the three new hoya varieties is anticipated to significantly contribute in elevating the Philippine ornamental plants industry by introducing new varieties in the local and international markets.