Name & Status Hoya ‘Lorelai is a new cultivar which was accepted for registration in 2025. This name will be established after publication in agreement with Article 27.1.
Originator, Introducer, Nominant & Registrant Carmen Zhang; Alberta, Canada. April 2025. DBA Char Min, @vining_wild
Etymology Zhang named Hoya ‘Lorelai’ for her niece who is thrilled to have a cultivar named for her.
Background Hoya ‘Lorelai’ was selected by Zhang from a spontaneous silver sport mutation that appeared in the originator’s controlled greenhouse conditions in 2022. The original material, from which the sport was selected, was received by the originator as Hoya (sp.EPC 196). EPC196 is a well known catalog number and is believed to be part of an unnamed cultigen which will be addressed separately. It is recorded here because it directly relates to the parentage of Hoya ‘Lorelai’, but fixing a name for the parent could not come prior to accepting ‘Lorelai’ for registration without further research.
Zhang developed the new sport into a stable assemblage of plants, and matured them in her greenhouse where they maintained consistent and unique characteristics. She has named and described this new cultivar as Hoya ‘Lorelai’.
Description
Foliage Hoya ‘Lorelai’ presents with 80-90% structural variegation. This gives the appearance of silver on the cuneate leaves with an acuminate tip. The variegation consists of Light Yellow Green RHS 138D appearing silver to the eye with a sheen as seen in this sort of structural or “blister” variegation. It occurs in a distinctive feathered pattern with about 5-20% Moderate Yellowish Green (RHS 138A) showing through, mainly along the primary and secondary veins and with the most solid silver appearance near the leaf margin.
‘Lorelai’ blushes when exposed to higher light, exposing a range of color from Strong Purplish Red (RHS 71D) to Deep Purplish Red (RHS 71A) through the matte-silver and grey-green surface. The leaves have pinnate veins numbering on average 5-7. Margins are recurved and the abaxial is softly pubescent. Leaf length is variable at maturity and growing conditions do impact this, but commonly the length of a mature leaf is 11.6 cm and 7 cm wide (narrowing to less than .5 cm at the narrow base).
Habit The internodal spacing of Hoya ‘Lorelai’ is rapidly vining. This is similar to Hoya ‘Viola’; growth starts at each node, often on each side of a leaf. It results in a balanced mix between young and thin vines which run fast for twining and trellising, along with leaves densely stacked on top of one another.
The new vines begin Dark Purplish Grey (RHS N187D) and they mature to Purplish Grey (RHS N187B-C), later becoming woody. Petioles tend to remain within RHS N187D-C.
Inflorescence Yellow reflexed corolla, white translucent corona. Fragrant, and produces nectar.
Hoya ‘Lorelai’ is most similar to the unnamed (undetermined) parent material from which it was selected, and to Hoya ‘Viola’. It also has some similarities to Hoya deykeae T.Green. However it is easily distinguishable from other species and cultivars by especially the silver cuneate leaves.
Described by C. Zhang for registration, with assistance from R.C.Conroy using original material with and without sunstress and reference to the 2016 RHS Revised Color Chart.
All photos belong to the originator for use by the ICRA for the purpose of registration and publication, and may not be reproduced without permission.
Sources
Brickell, C.D. & Alexander, C. & Cubey, Janet & David, John & Hoffmann, M.H.A. & Leslie, A.C. & Malécot, Valéry & Jin, Xiaobai. 2016. International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants.