Status Hoya ‘Sunrise’ is the accepted name for a unique cultivar, first established by Carol Noel in 2004 in Asklepios 91. (Articles 11.1, 27 Brickell et al.). It may also be written as Hoya (lacunosa x obscura) ‘Sunrise’, or Hoya lacunosa ‘Sunrise’ (Art.21.1 Brickell et al.).
Category Hoya ‘Sunrise’ was selected from among a batch of F1 hybrids resulting from the hand pollination of Hoya lacunosa Blume x Hoya obscura Elmer ex C.M.Burton.
Originator Michael Miyashiro, Honolulu, Hawaii d.b.a. Rainforest Plants et Fleurs, Inc. The cross was done in 1992, but no cultivar was named and published until 12 years later.
Nominant Carol Noel
Etymology ‘Sunrise’ has a tendency to bronze in high light, particularly around the margins and more soft.. like a sunrise. This is notably be the only cultivar so far that Noel has not named after a person.
Description ‘Sunrise’ is a medium compact Hoya, often grown in a hanging basket where it flourishes. It is a pendant or creeping non-twining, non-climbing Hoya which can adhere by adventitious roots on a mount or area of high humidity. Both parents are in Hoya sect.Otostemma, and so have similar morphology and growth habits. Foliage Elliptic leaves with acute tips, alike to Hoya lacunosa. The tendency to bronze, along with visible pinnate veins are alike Hoya obscura. Leaf sizes vary but are small and leathery (55-75mm long by 15-25mm long). There is sometimes a tendency to curl if the light exposure is too high. The stress coloration is red with some yellow, not reaching the purples. Inflorescence Revolute, white with a Light Greenish Yellow corona, but blushing Pale Purplish Pink to Moderate Purplish Pink with stress coloration. The corona is set above the corolla and not level or obscured within it, as in Hoya obscura.
Introducer Uncertain. It was named after distribution as an unnamed assemblage. However, Noel notes that this cultivar was sold in 2003 by Costa Farms as Hoya.
Nomenclatural Standard At the time the name was established, Noel recorded an herbarium specimen Noel #002, to be deposited at US. It is non-extant. A replacement is here designated as the left photo of foliage and inflorescence found in Noel,C. (2004). Putting a name to some old favourites. Asklepios, 91,11.
Notes from the Registrar Like both parents, ‘Sunrise’ appears to set seedpods very easily. When Michael Miyashiro was crossing Hoyas, he did distribute multiple seedlings from his pods. This was because even though he published many with the Hoya Society International, he received what he described as constant questioning about their parentage. He recognized that this was a time when Hoya nomenclature was already trying to recover, and had contributed a lot of time and resources towards this effort. As a result, he ultimately gifted the majority of his seedlings, or cuttings of them, along with the sales of other plants. Hoya obscura and Hoya lacunosa are each prolific species both in nature and in cultivation.
Through the United States and Thailand, there are (at least) two cultigens sold as ‘Sunrise’. One matches the standard for ‘Sunrise’. The other may have come about any number of ways, but does not match the characteristics of ‘Sunrise’ and needs its own name.
Volumes of Asklepios 91 are available on loan request and in-person at the library of the ICRA.
Availability most widely available in the United States, and especially centralized around Florida, as well as within private collections. In some regions the name has been misapplied. Caution must be taken when acquiring in order to be sure you find the Hoya you desire, whether or not that is ‘Sunrise’.
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.
Noel,C. (2004). Putting a name to some old favourites. Asklepios, 91,11.
Color references are standardized with the 2019 RHS Colour Chart, 6th edition reprint.
