U.S. patent number PP18,452 [Application Number 11/239,578] was granted by the patent office on 2008-01-22 for dianella caerulea plant named `dcmp01`.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Versascapes L.L.C.. Invention is credited to Todd Anthony Layt.
United States Patent |
PP18,452 |
Layt |
January 22, 2008 |
Dianella caerulea plant named `DCMP01`
Abstract
`DCMP01` is a distinctive variety of Dianella caerulea which is
characterized by the combination of its dense growth, slightly
spreading and compact growth habit, purple-blue flower color, and
short canes with very short internodes, which is unusual for a
Dianella caerulea, particularly when compared to the `Sydney
Ecotype`. In addition, `DCMP01` is less prone to falling over than
the parent type.
Inventors: |
Layt; Todd Anthony (New South
Wales, AU) |
Assignee: |
Versascapes L.L.C. (Mt.
Pleasant, SC)
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Family
ID: |
36127256 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/239,578 |
Filed: |
September 29, 2005 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20060075533 P1 |
Apr 6, 2006 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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60614658 |
Sep 30, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
PLT/424 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01H
5/02 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01H
5/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;PLT/263 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening, 1992, vol. II
D-K, McMillan Press, London; Stockton Press, New York, p. 49-50.
cited by examiner .
Printout--organicmatters.com.au/dianella-caerula, Mar. 29, 2007.
cited by examiner .
Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening, 1992, vol. II
D-K, McMillan Press, London; Stockton Press, New York, p. 49-50.
cited by examiner .
Layt; "Dianella caerulea blue flax lily `DCMP01,`" Plant Varieties
Journal 16 (4):124 (Feb. 6, 2004). cited by other .
Layt; "Dianella caerulea blue flax lily `DCMP01,`" Plant Varieties
Journal 17 (1): 591-593 (Apr. 28, 2004). cited by other .
Austalian Government, IP Australia, Plant Breeder's Rights;
database entry for Australian Plant Breeders Right Application No.
2003/292; Variety `DCMP01`
http://pbr.ipaustralia.optus.com.au/docs/2003292. doc. cited by
other.
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Primary Examiner: Grunberg; Anne Marie
Assistant Examiner: Helmer; Georgia
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Myers Bigel Sibley & Sajovec,
P.A.
Claims
That which is claimed is:
1. A new and distinct variety of Dianella caerulea plant named
`DCMP01`, substantially as described and illustrated herein.
Description
Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the novel
variety disclosed herein is Dianella caerulea.
Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Dianella caerulea
disclosed herein has been given the varietal denomination
`DCMP01`.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a new and distinct perennial Blue
Flax Lilly variety of Dianella caerulea, which has been given the
varietal denomination of `DCMP01`. Its market class is that of an
ornamental grass-like plant. `DCMP01` is intended for use in
landscaping and as a decorative grass-like plant.
An application for plant breeders' rights for variety `DCMP01` has
been filed with the Australian Plant Breeders' Rights Office, and
was first gazetted in the Plant Varieties Journal in October 2003
under Application No. 2003/292.
Parentage. The Dianella caerulea variety `DCMP01` was first
discovered in October 1996 in an Australian nursery in Clarendon,
New South Wales, after an extensive breeding program. The `DCMP01`
parent, `Sydney Ecotype` (unpatented), is characterized by a tall
plant height, medium plant density, medium length aerial stems and
yellow-green leaf colour.
In 1995, Dianella species were grown together in an open bed
covering approximately 250 square meters of area. They were grown
in groups of species and ecotypes including Dianella caerulea
collected from the Sydney area, and other regions. The other
Dianella species present were longifolia, revoluta and tasmanica.
The plants were open pollinated with possible assisted pollination
from general shaking of flower stems onto each other.
Seeds were collected and sown from the `Sydney Ecotype` plants in
December 1995. Approximately 30,000 plants were grown. In October
1996, using the selection criteria of compact growth habit and very
short aerial stems (canes) with very short internodes, a single
plant was identified as having these characteristics. This plant
was selected, potted into a 140 mm pot for further evaluation and
named `DCMP01`.
Asexual reproduction. `DCMP01` was first asexually propagated by
division in April 1997, in the state of New South Wales, Australia.
It was asexually reproduced again during November 1997 and April
1998 and confirmed to be stable in character. The distinctive
characteristics of the inventive variety, `DCMP01`, have remained
stable and true to type from generation to generation through
successive cycles of asexual reproduction including vegetative
division and micropropagation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`DCMP01` is a distinctive variety of Dianella caerulea which is
characterized by the combination of its dense growth, slightly
spreading and compact growth habit, purple-blue flower colour, and
short canes with very short internodes, which is unusual for a
Dianella caerulea, particularly when compared to the `Sydney
Ecotype`. In addition, `DCMP01` is less prone to falling over than
the parent type.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
The photographs in the drawings were made using conventional
techniques and show the colours as true as reasonably possible by
conventional photography. Colours in the photographs may differ
slightly from the colour values cited in the detailed botanical
description, which accurately describe the colours of the new
Dianella caerulea.
FIG. 1 shows a `DCMP01` plant and illustrates the unusually short
internodes located on short canes and a medium height flower spike
that is characteristic of the variety.
FIG. 2 shows the variation in leaf width and glaucosity among the
five Dianella caerulea varieties included in the comparison
study.
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT
The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and
distinct variety of a Dianella caerulea ornamental grass-like plant
known as `DCMP01`. The descriptions disclosed herein are based upon
observations of the plant grown in 140 mm nursery pots and field
plots in New South Wales, Australia. The plants were approximately
12-months-old at the time of observation. All colors cited herein
refer to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (The Royal
Horticultural Society, London, 2001 edition).
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain
characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, younger
plants. `DCMP01` has not been observed under all possible
environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other
characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such
characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as
accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may differ
with variations in the environment such as season, temperature,
light intensity, day length, cultural conditions and the like.
`DCMP01` is a perennial Dianella caerulea plant, which was produced
through an innovative breeding program. After its selection,
`DCMP01` was asexually propagated by division and micropropagation.
`DCMP01` has dense growth, slightly spreading and compact growth
habit, short rhizome form, purple-blue flower colour, unusually
short internodes located on short canes, and a reduced tendency to
fall over at maturity. A botanical description of `DCMP01` and a
comparison with other varieties of Dianella caerulea are provided
below. A representative Dianella caerulea `DCMP01` plant is shown
in FIG. 1.
Technical Description of the Variety
Growth habit: `DCMP01` is a short, rhizomatous plant forming a
semi-compact tussock. Its growth habit is erect, the height is
short (mean 24.6 cm), and the density of shoots is strong. Stem:
Length of internodes is short (less than 10 mm). The Sydney ecotype
has internode length which is long (greater than 20 mmm) creating
long aerial stem length (also known as canes). Foliage: Leaf
attitude erect, width medium (mean 12.2 mm), upper side colour with
waxiness removed yellow-green (RHS 147A), lower side colour with
waxiness removed yellow-green (RHS 147B), upper side glaucosity
weak, shape ligulate, apex acute, cross section concave,
cross-sectional shape with midrib keeled, spines on margin absent,
spines on lower side midrib absent. Basal sheath: Anthocyanin
colour red-brown (RHS 178A-B fading to 182B), intensity of
anthocyanin colour weak. Inflorescence: The inflorescence (flower
spike) is purple-blue (approximately RHS 83C) with a longer than
average length (range 50-60 cm) when compared to Dianella caerulea
`DCNCO` (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 11/239,579 filed
Sep. 29, 2005; Australian Plant Breeders Rights Certificate No.
2908, granted Oct. 18, 2005). The inflorescence is positioned above
the level of the foliage. The flower spike is soft to the touch.
Peduncle color is yellow green (approximately RHS 146B-C).
Flowering season late spring-summer. Flowers: The flower buds are
8-10 mm long and 3-4 mm wide. Bud color changes from yellow green
(RHS 147B) to violet blue (approximately RHS 90A) prior to opening.
Mature flowers have 6 petals with ovate shape. Petal color is
violet-blue (approximately RHS 92A-B). Anther filament color is
yellow (approximately RHS 11A). Flower diameter range is 9-13 mm.
Petal attitude is reflexed. Fruit: A succulent berry, shape is
globose, color of unripe berry is yellow green (RHS 146A) and color
of ripe berry is approximately violet blue (RHS 89A), surface
texture is smooth and glossy. Seed color is black (RHS 202A).
Environmental tolerances: `DCMP01` has shown potential for shade
tolerance. The winter hardiness of `DCMP01` is at least to -10
degrees Celsius. `DCMP01` has been observed to hold color to -6
degrees Celsius.
`DCMP01` has excellent drought tolerance compared with other
Dianella caerulea varieties, most likely due to its tighter
foliage. After severe wilting, `DCMP01` has been noted to recover
with watering. Disease resistance and susceptibility: `DCMP01` has
excellent tolerance to pests and diseases and good resistance to
root rot, which is a common problem in Dianella caerulea. Root rot
is caused by the disease causing organism Phytophthora. Tolerance
to pests can refer to no damage from snails, slugs, mites, aphids,
whitefly, beetles, caterpillars and moths.
These features and other characteristics of the plant are apparent
from the figures.
`DCMP01` Compared to Other Varieties of Dianella caerulea
Grouping characteristics used to identify the most similar
varieties of common knowledge to `DCMP01`, were short height and
dense growth habit. Based on this, `DBB03` (U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/614,654, filed Sep. 30, 2004; Australian
Plant Breeders Rights Application No. 2003/291, received Oct. 8,
2003) was selected as the most similar suitable comparator for
`DCMP01`. The parent (`Sydney Ecotype`) and another form from the
Blue Mountains region of New South Wales were also included in the
trial. The comparative trial also included `DCNCO`, which has a
much taller plant height than `DCMP01`.
The comparative trial of Dianella caerulea `DCMP01` with other D.
caerulea including `DBB03`, `DCNCO`, `Sydney Ecotype`, and `Blue
Mountains Ecotype` (unpatented) was carried out in Summer 2002
through Autumn 2003 in Clarendon, New South Wales, Australia. The
trial was conducted in open beds. The plants for this trial were
propagated from divisions and planted into 130 mm pots filled with
soilless potting mix. Nutrition was maintained with slow release
fertilizers and pest and disease treatments were applied as
required. The plants did not flower during the trial. Trial design
included fifteen pots of each variety arranged in a completely
randomized design. Measurements were taken from ten plants at
random with one sample taken per plant.
In comparing `DCMP01` with the other Dianella caerulea varieties,
`DCMP01` has a more compact habit than `Sydney Ecotype`, `Blue
Mountains Ecotype`, `DBB03` and `DCNC0`. `DCMP01` generally has
short internodes located on short canes, whereas canes are
generally absent on `DBB03` and `DCNC0`, and the `Sydney Ecotype`
has canes of typical length above the ground. `DCMP01` has a taller
flower spike height compared to `DCNC0`, but a shorter flower spike
height compared to `DBB03`. The `Sydney Ecotype` has a variable
flower spike height. `DCNC0` has a pale blue colour flower colour,
whereas `DCMP01` has a deeper blue almost purplish flower colour,
and the `Sydney Ecotype` has a variable flower colour. In addition,
`DCMP01` is easier and more productive to propagate from division
than other known Dianella caerulea. Further comparisons are
presented in Table I.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE I Comparison of Dianella caerulea varieties.
Blue Sydney Mountains `DBB03` `DCMP01` `DCNCO` ecotype ecotype
PLANT: GROWTH HABIT erect erect erect erect to semi-erect semi- to
erect erect PLANT HEIGHT (cm) LSD (P .ltoreq. 0.01) = 6.03 mean
23.4.sup.c 24.6.sup.c 65.6.sup.a 63.0.sup.a 49.4.sup.a std
deviation 2.2 2.6 5.0 5.5 8.5 PLANT: DENSITY OF SHOOTS strong
strong medium- medium weak strong STEM: INTERNODE LENGTH short
short short long very long LEAF: WIDTH (mm) LSD (P .ltoreq. 0.01) =
1.97 mean 14.9.sup.c 12.2.sup.d 13.6.sup.cd 17.1.sup.b 22.2.sup.a
std deviation 2.1 0.6 0.8 0.9 2.9 LEAF: FOLIAGE COLOUR - overall
appearance of leaf blue-green yellow-green yellow- yellow- yellow-
green green green LEAF: COLOUR - waxiness removed upper side 147A
147A 147B 146B ca 147A lower side 147A 147B 147B 146B 147B LEAF:
GLAUCOSITY strong weak weak weak weak LEAF: CROSS SECTION concave
concave slight slight concave concave concave LEAF: PRESENCE OF
SPINES ON MARGIN absent absent present present present LEAF:
PROMINENCE OF SPINES ON MARGIN n/a n/a medium medium very weak
LEAF: PRESENCE OF SPINES ON LOWER SIDE MIDRIB absent absent present
present present LEAF: PROMINENCE OF SPINES ON LOWER SIDE MIDRIB n/a
n/a medium medium medium BASAL SHEATH: COLOUR blue- red- red- brown
red to green brown brown to red- red-brown brown BASAL SHEATH:
INTENSITY OF ANTHOCYANIN COLOUR absent weak medium medium strong
Mean values followed by the same letter are not significantly
different at P .ltoreq. 0.01 according to an S-N-K test.
* * * * *
References