Hoya leaf variation

I have always been fascinated by the differences in leaves on the same plants...and Nan's query reminded me of it. I used to think that a plant had distinctive leaves so why in the heck can't everyone tell the ID from the leaves. NOT. Here are three photos of leaves I found today....this first one was going to be a contest. They are ALL from H. DS-70 which I bought as H. burtoniae, which was then H. tsangii and now is H. DS-70. I repeat...these 4 leaves are all from the same plant...boggles the mind, eh?

This message was edited Jul 11, 2005 8:08 PM

This next photo is from a plant of H. verticillata. I always thought the leaves were ho-hum until they started to get HUGE.

And here is H. camphorifolia....and these aren't even typical of the plant...which has longer narrower leaves....usually....before I saw these differences.

This message was edited Jul 11, 2005 8:06 PM

....and the bad news is that flowes don't ALWAYS solve the problem....they too can look alike unless you have a high powered microscope and know what you are looking at.!!!

Great comparisions. Now are these the ones someone is getting in the secret trade? lol.
;) Donna

Carol, I see the same size variations in my collection. I finally understand why its so hard to ID them by leaf. The first one is especially bizaare because the shape is even completely different from the first one to the last.

Carol,

Thanks for sharing this lesson, now the problem is accepting it when we have a plant that has no name. It does amaze me when the leaves grow so differently on the same plant, or like on another thread, where a leaf gets unusually large compared to the other leaves on the plant. Your examples are great.

Deb

In the beginning, it was really hard for me to 'grasp'. It does work ONE way, tho'. If I were asked if the picture of the first leaves were, say, H. pentaphlebia....I (anyone) could say NO.

There is also, for me at least, so much in the tactile feeling of the leaf: stiffness, softness etc. which can't be "grok'd" (hey, thre is a word from the past!!!) seeing only a photo. Another important factor, for me, is how the plant grows in the pot, how it hangs, fills up space etc.

Is this why we love hoyas so much?...for me it IS one of the challenges I really enjoy.

Carol

GREAT lesson Carol. This thread should be put on your website somewhere for all who ask about noids to see.
Marcy

Super Idea, Marcey....I just may do that ;>)