Family:	Asclepiadaceae
	Distribution:	Rainforests of Cape York, north Queensland.
	Common Name:	No generally accepted common name.
	Derivation of Name:	Hoya; after Thomas Hoy, English gardener. macgillivrayii; after John macgillivray.
	Conservation Status:	Not considered to be at risk in the wild.

General Description:

Hoya is a genus of around 200 species with seven occurring in Australia. The genus is popular in horticulture and numerous forms and cultivars are grown by enthusiasts. H.australis is the most widespread and the most commonly grown of the Australian species while H.macgillivrayii is probably the most spectacular.

H.macgillivrayii is a moderately vigorous climbing species. The leaves are ovate or linear-lanceolate in shape and about 15 cm long. The stems contain a white, milky sap which is poisonous. The fragrant flowers are waxy and occur in clusters of about 4 to 15, each on a long pedicel (stalk), and each is about 50 mm in diameter. They are red to purple in colour and are usually seen in spring and early summer. The seed pods are long and slender, about 150 to 250 mm long containing a number of seeds.

The species is popular in cultivation in tropical and subtropical areas. In cooler climates a heated glasshouse may be needed for successful cultivation. Good drainage is essential. H.macgillivrayii is also suited to growing in containers and hanging baskets as it seems tolerant of root constraint. Flowering is best if good light is available.

H.macgillivrayii can be grown from fresh seed, which requires no pretreatment. Cuttings also strike readily.