U.S. patent number PP15,219 [Application Number 10/316,735] was granted by the patent office on 2004-10-12 for dogwood tree named `rutnut`.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Rutgers, The State University. Invention is credited to David A. Gant, Elwin R. Orton.
United States Patent |
PP15,219 |
Orton , et al. |
October 12, 2004 |
Dogwood tree named `Rutnut`
Abstract
A cultivar of dogwood tree is characterized by a unique
combination of red floral bracts and a dwarf rounded shape.
Inventors: |
Orton; Elwin R. (Millstone,
NJ), Gant; David A. (Wall Township, NJ) |
Assignee: |
Rutgers, The State University
(New Brunswick, NJ)
|
Family
ID: |
32506004 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/316,735 |
Filed: |
December 11, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
PLT/220 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01H
6/00 (20180501) |
Current International
Class: |
A01H 005/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;PLT/220 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
PP8214 |
April 1993 |
Orton et al. |
|
Primary Examiner: Grunberg; Anne Marie
Assistant Examiner: Hwu; June
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Lucas; James A. Driggs, Lucas,
Brubaker & Hogg Co., LPA
Claims
We claim:
1. A new and distinct cultivar of dogwood tree, substantially as
herein shown and described, characterized particularly as to
novelty by the unique combination of its red floral bracts and the
truly dwarf rounded habit of the tree.
Description
Latin name of genus and species: Cornus florida L. var. rubra
West.
Cultivar name: `Rutnut`.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This new cultivar is the product of a long standing detailed
program of hybridization and selection of large-bracted dogwoods,
in this instance from our native Eastern or Cornus florida
seedlings which are carefully controlled, records carefully
retained and characteristics analyzed for their differences and
outstanding value as potential commercial varieties or
cultivars.
As will be understood from the following, the program has resulted
in many outstanding crosses which ultimately result in particularly
attractive vegetative and floral parts, which appear on trees which
are very floriferous and regular bearers.
We have selected the particular seedling hereof from certain
progeny grown in a cultivated area and, as a result, have in turn
caused the same to be asexually reproduced by stem cuttings in the
vicinity of New Brunswick, N.J. The cultivar may also be so
reproduced by budding and grafting. The claimed cultivar is stable
and reproduced true to type in successive generation of asexual
reproduction.
The reproduction and actual growth and selection of the new
cultivar took place in the vicinity of New Brunswick, N.J. and has
been found to be distinctive as to its winter-hardiness in that
area, USDA Plant Hardiness Map Zone 6a.
As will be understood from the detailed description of the
invention which appears hereinafter, the new cultivar is in fact
outstanding and readily identified as being such, thus providing
for a new variety which is identified botanically for the purposes
hereof as Cornus florida L. Var. rubra West, and will be known
commercially as `Rutnut`.
With the foregoing in mind, the description which follows will be
understood as clearly defining the new cultivar, the desirable
characteristics of which are the result of such a program as has
been heretofore suggested.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A cultivar of dogwood tree that is characterized by a unique
combination of red floral bracts and a dwarf rounded shape. This
new variety is distinguished from its parents, both of which grew
to heights of 5 to 7 meters and exhibited flower heads with white
bracts, whereas plants of "Rutnut" at maturity are very dwarf in
size (less than 1 meter). It is believed to be the only dwarf
Cornus florida to produce flower heads exhibiting pink-red floral
bracts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
This new cultivar of dogwood is illustrated by the accompanying
photographic drawings, depicting the plant by the best possible
color representation using color photography. All color references
below are measured against The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.)
Colour Chart. Colors are approximate as color depends on
horticultural practices, such as light level and fertilization
rate, among others.
FIG. 1 is a two-year liner showing the dwarf nature of the tree and
its precocious floral display of dark red floral bracts; and
FIG. 2 discloses several flower heads at the time of floral display
and indicates the color and shape of the floral bracts.
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Origin: A seedling selection
from the progeny of a controlled cross of two select seedlings,
each of which originated from a cross of a plant of C. florida var.
rubra.times.a plant of C. florida `Pygmy` (a white-bracted,
non-patented cultivar), the rubra plants in the two initial crosses
being unrelated in origin. Unpatented. Not subject of pending U.S.
plant patent applications. Staminate parent of each parental hybrid
was the cultivar `Pygmy` (non-patented).
Reproduction took place in the vicinity of New Brunswick, N.J.
Classification: Botanic name: Cornus florida L. var. rubra West.
Commercial name: `Rutnut`. Tree: Dwarf and rounded in shape. Is the
first truly dwarf cultivar of var. rubra to be introduced to
commerce, a five-year tree typically being 0.71 M tall and 0.61 M
wide, or approximately one-half the typical size of a five-year
plant of `D-376-15`, a patented (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,214)
red-bracted clone of C. florida which develops a rounded, compact
habit of growth considered semi-dwarf relative to standard clones
(unpatented) of Cornus florida var. rubra, such as `Sweetwater`,
`Spring Song`, `Prosser Red`, and the patented rubra clone
`Cherokee Chief`, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 1,710 as well as
white-bracted cultivars, such as `Cherokee Princess` and
`Springtime`. Vegetative and floral parts have been fully
winter-hardy at New Brunswick, N.J., USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6a.
Very floriferous. Regular bearer. A five-year plant of `Rutnut` is
about 76-91.5 cm tall with a spread of 61 cm in comparison to the
white-bracted, non-patented cultivar `Pygmy` which at five years
averages 61-76 cm tall with a spread of 45.7 cm. Trunk: Smooth as a
young plant but bark becomes shaggy with age as is typical for
plants of C. florida. Color of trunk or bark is 199D (Greyed Green
Group on the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural
Society, London). Branches: Smooth, small to medium, with a high
number of side branches which causes the tree to be dwarf and
rounded; older branches ranging in color from 165A (Greyed Orange
Group) to 200A (Brown Group); new tip growth being 146A
(Yellow-Green Group). Leaves: Ovate, with broadly attenuate base
and apiculate tip.--Length 6.3 to 12.2 cm (ave.=10.4 cm). Width at
widest point 4.1 to 7.3 cm (ave.=6.01 cm). Petiole length 8 to 18
mm (ave.=12); Width 12 mm. Number of primary veins per leaf 10-12
(ave.=10.9). Margins entire. Color.--Upper surface is closest to
137A (Green Group) but slightly darker. Lower surface is between
138B and 138C (Green Group); lower surface contains minute white
pubescence, slightly longer along veins than on remainder of
surface. Fall color.--Typical of most C. florida, a showy display
of green, yellow, orange and a red which is typical of most rubra
varieties. Flower buds: Medium size, nearly globose -- height and
width range from 4.0-5 mm. True flowers are tiny and relatively
inconspicuous (each with four minute petals that are greenish-white
in color). They are borne in dense heads, and are enclosed over
winter by four involucral bracts that subtend the true flowers.
Plants of `Rutnut` are self-incompatible, as are all plants of C.
florida. Involucral, or floral bracts: Color.--When fully expanded:
Upper surface 59C to 59D (Red-Purple Group); lower surface 59D
(Red-Purple Group). Basal 10% of bract surface is White Group 155D.
Size and shape.--When the floral bracts are fully expanded, the
diameter of the involucre from tip to tip of the opposing inner
bracts is about 7.53 cm. The diameter of the involucre as measured
from tip to tip of the opposing outer bracts is approximately 7.11
cm. The average length of the inner and outer bracts is about 3.59
cm and 3.38 cm, respectively. The width of the inner and outer
bracts at their widest point is about 2.71 cm and 3.59 cm,
respectively. In general, the outer bracts are nearly equal in
length and width and are broadly tapered at the base, whereas the
inner bracts are longer than wide and are more narrowly tapered at
the base. In general, the floral bracts would be considered obovate
with an abruptly acute tip. The margin of the floral bracts is
entire. The surface of the floral bracts has a soft ridged texture
due to the prominent parallel veination. The basal one-third of
adjacent bracts slightly overlap. Peduncle: Each flower head is
borne on a peduncle, the average length of which is about 2.15 cm
at the time of flowering and/of floral display. The average
peduncle length will vary slightly from year to year. Color is
Green Group 137D. Flowering and floral display: The period of
floral display (floral bracts) is typical of that for most plants
of C. florida; i.e., occurring in late April and early May in the
vicinity of New Brunswick, N.J., and extending for a period of
12-17 days, depending on weather conditions. Anthesis of the tiny,
relatively inconspicuous, true flowers commences two to four days
after the onset of the ornamental display of the large floral
bracts and continues for about seven days, depending on weather
conditions. The average number of true flowers per flower head in
our new intraspecific hybrid is about 14.7, whereas those of the
patented clone `D-376-15`, which also bears red bracts (184C,
Grey-Purple Group), is about 19.7. This characteristic is quite
consistent from year to year. The mature size of `Rutnut` is
expected to be about one-half that of `D-376-15`; i.e. about 1.7 m
tall and 1.7 m wide. The flower has no detectable fragrance.
Average flower head diameter of over-wintering flower buds is 3 mm.
Average diameter of flower head at start of flowering period is 4-6
mm. Flower petals: four per flower. Length: about 2 to 3 mm. Width:
about 1.25 mm. Apex: rounded. Margin: Entire. Color: Just prior to
anthesis, both surfaces Yellow-Green Group 144C. Fully open, both
surfaces Yellow-green Group 151D. Reproductive organs: Features are
inconspicuous. Ovary: inferior and bilocular with each locule
having one ovule. Length: about 9 mm. Width: about 6 mm; Style is
about 1.75 to 2.25 mm in length and 0.25 mm in diameter. The color
of the style is closest to Yellow_Green Group 149A. Sepals: four
per flower. Cannot be seen at the time of flowering unless the
flower is dissected. Since the ovary is inferior, the sepals are
readily observed at the tip of the mature fruit in September. To
the naked eye, the sepals appear as equilateral triangles, each
side of which is about 1 mm in length. Under 10.times.
magnification, the sides and tip of the sepals can be seen to be
slightly rounded and the basal 20 percent of adjacent sepals are
fused. The color of the sepals on the mature fruit is Brown Group
200A. Petals: four per flower. Length: about 2 to 3 mm. Width:
about 1.25 mm. apex: rounded. Margin: Entire. Color: Just prior to
anthesis, both surface Yellow-Green Group 144C. Fully open, both
surface Yellow-Green Group 151D. Stamens: Four per flower.
Filament: Length: about 1.8 to 2 mm. Width: about 0.2 mm. Anther:
Color: Yellow Group 11C. Pollen: closest to Yellow Group 11B.
Fruit: The fruit are elongate, approximately 9 to 13 mm long and
bright red, RHS 45A and/or RHS 46B, (Red Group) as is rather
typical of the fruit of most plants of C. florida. Fruit:
Shape/type: Oblong drupe. Length: about 1.1 cm. Diameter: about 0.8
cm. Texture: Smooth. Color of pericarp of fruit: Red Group 46B.
Seeds: Shape ovoid. Texture: horizontal furrows on opposing sides
clearly delineate the two locules. Color: Freshly cleaned and dried
seed closest to Greyed-Orange Group 146B. Resistance to insects:
The relative resistance, or susceptibility, of plants of `Rutnut`
to the various insect pests known to attack plants of C. florida is
expected to be typical of that of plants of most cultivars of C.
florida. Diseases: The relative resistance, or susceptibility, of
plants of `Rutnut` to the various disease organisms known to attack
plants of C. florida is assumed to be typical of that exhibited by
most plants of C. florida but little information is available at
this time.
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