U.S. patent number PP28,583 [Application Number 14/757,370] was granted by the patent office on 2017-10-31 for podocarpus plant named `sosa`.
The grantee listed for this patent is Kenichi Kawaguchi. Invention is credited to Kenichi Kawaguchi.
United States Patent |
PP28,583 |
Kawaguchi |
October 31, 2017 |
Podocarpus plant named `Sosa`
Abstract
A new cultivar of Podocarpus macrophyllus, `Sosa`, that is
characterized by its new growth tips and leaves that are reddish
brown in color in spring and fall, its mature tree trunk cracks in
a tortoise shell pattern, its leaves that are short in length and
medium in width, its straight trunk with medium tapering, and its
limited branching without pruning.
Inventors: |
Kawaguchi; Kenichi (Sosa,
JP) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kawaguchi; Kenichi |
Sosa |
N/A |
JP |
|
|
Family
ID: |
60142818 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/757,370 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
PLT/213 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01H
7/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01H
7/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;PLT/213 |
Other References
Kawashigeen, Inc. 12th International Flower Expo Tokyo 2015
retrieved on Mar. 30, 2017, retrieved from the Internet at
<https://exhibitor.reedexpo.co.jp/IFEX/2015/search/en/detail.phtml?uid-
=160&eid=4> 1 page. cited by examiner .
Makuhari Messe 12 Internationa Flower Expo 2015, retrieved on Mar.
30, 2017, retrieved from the Internet at
<https://www.m-messe.co.jp/en/event/detail/3677> 2 pp. cited
by examiner .
Upov Pluto Plant Variety Database 20170309 retrieved on Mar. 13,
2017 for Podocarpus `Sosa`, retrieved from the Internet at
<www3.wipo.int/pluto/user/en/index.jsp> one page. cited by
examiner.
|
Primary Examiner: Hwu; June
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Aguirre; Penny J.
Claims
It is claimed:
1. A new and distinct cultivar of Podocarpus plant named `Sosa` as
herein illustrated and described.
Description
Botanical classification: Podocarpus macrophyllus.
Variety denomination: `Sosa`.
CROSS REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION
This application is related to a plant breeders' rights application
filed in Japan on Nov. 16, 2004, application No. 17628. There have
been no offers for sale anywhere in the world prior to the filing
of this Application and no accessibility to one of ordinary skill
in the art could have been derived from printed plant breeder's
rights documents.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of
Podocarpus macrophyllus and will be referred to hereafter by its
cultivar name, `Sosa`. `Sosa` is a new cultivar of evergreen shrub
grown for use as a landscape shrub.
The new cultivar arose from an ongoing breeding program conducted
by the Inventor in Sousa-shi, Chiba, Japan. The new cultivar arose
as a naturally occurring branch mutation on an unnamed and
unpatented plant of Podocarpus macrophyllus growing in a trial
field in 2002.
Asexual propagation of the new cultivar was first accomplished by
the Inventor using softwood stem cuttings in Sousa-shi, Chiba,
Japan in spring of 2002. Asexual propagation by softwood stem
cuttings has determined that the characteristics of the new
cultivar are stable and are reproduced true to type in successive
generations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent
the characteristics of the new cultivar. These attributes in
combination distinguish `Sosa` as a unique cultivar of Podocarpus.
1. `Sosa` exhibits new growth tips and leaves that are reddish
brown in color in spring and fall. 2. `Sosa` exhibits mature tree
trunk cracks in a tortoise shell pattern. 3. `Sosa` exhibits leaves
that are short in length and medium in width. 4. `Sosa` exhibits a
straight trunk with medium tapering. 5. `Sosa` exhibits limited
branching without pruning. The parent plant of `Sosa` differs from
`Sosa` in having green colored growing tips and new foliage. `Sosa`
can be compared to the Podocarpus macrophyllus cultivars
`Benikujaku` (not patented) and `Scarlet bud` (not patented). Both
are similar to `Sosa` in having unique growing tip and new leaf
coloration. `Benikujaku` differs from `Sosa` in having new growing
tips and new foliage that are pinkish red in color. `Scarlet bud`
differs from `Sosa` in having new growing tips and new foliage that
are pinkish in color.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall
appearance and distinct characteristics of the new cultivar grown
in Sosa-shi, Chiba, Japan.
The photograph in FIG. 1 was taken of 5 year-old plants of `Sosa`
as grown in an unheated greenhouse in 21-cm containers.
The photograph in FIG. 2 was taken of 4 year-old plants of `Sosa`
as grown outdoors in 18-cm containers.
The photograph in FIG. 3 provides a view of a 10 year-old tree as
grown in the ground and provides a view of the trunk of `Sosa`.
All photographs provide a view of the unique growing tip and new
foliage coloration that is observed in spring and fall. The colors
in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited
in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe
the colors of the new Podocarpus.
DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
The following is a detailed description of 1 year-old plants of the
new cultivar as grown outdoors in three-gallon containers in
Luxley, Ala. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with
variations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, as
it has not been tested under all possible environmental conditions.
The color determination is in accordance with The 2007 R.H.S.
Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England,
except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary
significance are used. General description: Plant type.--Evergreen
shrub. Plant habit.--Upright, medium tapering. Height and
spread.--Reaches about 50 cm in height and 20 cm in width in a
3-gallon container, mature height in the landscape is 15 to 20 m in
height and 5 to 10 m in spread. Cold hardiness.--At least to
U.S.D.A. Zones 8b to 11. Diseases resistance.--No susceptibility or
resistance has been observed, generally Podocarpus macrophyllus is
disease free. Root description.--Fibrous. Root development.--Fully
root as a young plant in about 6 months. Propagation.--Softwood
stem cuttings. Growth rate.--Moderate. Stem description:
Shape.--Round to slightly quadrangular. Stem color.--New growth;
144A with fine ridges of 137A; mature bark; 199A with some areas of
144A showing through the cracks in the bark (as observed on a 10
year-old tree). Stem size.--Main stems; average of 30 cm in length
and 6 mm in width, lateral branches; up to 23 cm in length and an
average of 3.5 mm in diameter (if present). Stem surface.--New
growth; smooth and glabrous with a few fine ridges, maturing
growth; patches of smooth bark, mature bark is cracked in a
tortoise shell pattern. Branching.--An average of 5 main stems in a
3-gallon container, lateral branches rare if un-pruned (0 to 2).
Foliage description: Leaf shape.--Linear. Leaf division.--Simple.
Leaf base.--Attenuate. Leaf apex.--Narrowly acute. Leaf
fragrance.--None, but pine scented if crushed. Leaf
venation.--Parallel, only midribs are distinguishable, midrib is
slightly raised on upper surface, color upper surface 137D, color
on lower surface 144B. Leaf margins.--Entire. Leaf
arrangement.--Whorled. Leaf attachment.--Sessile. Leaf internode
length.--Average of 5 mm in length. Leaf surface.--Glabrous and
satiny on upper and lower surface. Leaf substance.--Thick and
coriaceous. Leaf size.--An average of 6 cm in length and 7 mm in
width. Leaf quantity.--Average of 27 on a branch 12 cm in length.
Leaf color.--Growth tips and new leaves in spring and fall; upper
surface and lower a blend of 138A, 166B, 166C, and 180B, mature
leaves; upper surface 137A, lower surface 137D. Inflorescence
description: Flowers and fruit have not been observed on any plants
currently grown.
* * * * *
References