Full Name & Status: Hoya pubicalyx ‘Silver Pink’ Accepted & Established
Category: Open pollinated
Synonyms: ‘Silver Pink Vine’
Assession #’s, Grower’s Codes: USDA #-353450, HSI-#USDA-353450
Trade Designations: None. The name ‘Pink Silver’ has been incorrectly applied to this cultivar, however PINK SILVER is a trade designation which was used by Cobia. It is not a cultivar name or a synonym, and appears to apply to a different selection altogether (Undetermined).
Breeder: William Whitmore Goodale Moir, famed orchid breeder of Hawaii, found Hoya pubicalyx in nature. He planted it on his fence at his home garden where it developed striking silver, or as he stated in articles and letters with C.M.Burton, “it sported from its original green form to the speckled form.”
From here it was stated to be sent to Ed Hummel who introduced it to the trade.
‘Silver Pink’ was described in Graf’s Exotica 3 with the correct oldest cultivar name and a photograph of ‘Silver Pink’. I expect it is sprinkled into older publications as well, but this is a good, solid, clear one which matches named and numbered plants.
The species at the time was identified by Moir to be Hoya purpureofusca (sic as purpureo-fusca). This cultivar and others were later determined as pubicalyx by Christine Burton in 1987 in The Hoyan 9(1).
There are many beautiful pubicalyx , or cultivars related to pubicalyx, from cultivation, and this is among the oldest. The species as it is known has since been found in nature many times. ‘Pink Silver’ is not the species from nature, however, and is a cultivar which is why it is here. Additionally, it must be vegetatively propagated.
It is frustrating that there is no know locality, because Hoya pubicalyx does not come from Java. This is inaccurate in the Exotica publication and noted this way because it is part of the natural range of Hoya purpureofusca.
This is widely distributed and in botanical institutions around the world with the USDA # and cultivar name intact. Over the upcoming months we will survey and add photos with locations and photographs where available, as well as a current description. Older publications surely exist in botanical institutions and are still sought, but the name is registered as the clear correct name for this cultivar.
Graf, A.B. (1963).Exotica: Pictorial Cyclopedia of Exotic Plants. Roehrs Company. (And all subsequent years).
Note:
*A site update caused an error to this live entry but the block was recovered and print files are always on record. If any inconsistencies or errors are noted, please contact the registrar.