U.S. patent number PP31,107 [Application Number 15/731,677] was granted by the patent office on 2019-11-26 for prunus plant named `monarone`.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Monrovia Nursery Company. The grantee listed for this patent is Cesar Velazquez. Invention is credited to Cesar Velazquez.
United States Patent |
PP31,107 |
Velazquez |
November 26, 2019 |
Prunus plant named `MONARONE`
Abstract
A new and distinct cultivar of Prunus plant named `MONARONE` is
disclosed, characterized by reduced flower and fruit production on
compact plants. Foliage is distinctively short and has less
susceptibility to shot hole disease. The new cultivar is a Prunus,
suitable for ornamental garden purposes.
Inventors: |
Velazquez; Cesar (Salem,
OR) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Velazquez; Cesar |
Salem |
OR |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Monrovia Nursery Company
(Azusa, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
64999816 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/731,677 |
Filed: |
July 13, 2017 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20190021194 P1 |
Jan 17, 2019 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
PLT/180 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01H
6/7427 (20180501) |
Current International
Class: |
A01H
5/12 (20180101); A01H 6/74 (20180101) |
Field of
Search: |
;PLT/180,226 |
Primary Examiner: Grunberg; Anne Marie
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Bright; Cassandra
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A new and distinct cultivar of Prunus laurocerasus plant named
`MONARONE` as herein illustrated and described.
Description
Latin name of the genus and species: Prunus laurocerasus.
Variety denomination: `MONARONE`.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The new cultivar is a product of a chance discovery in a commercial
setting by the inventor. In Summer 2013, the inventor, Cesar
Velazquez discovered an interesting whole plant mutation in a
commercial planting of the unpatented parent variety Prunus
laurocerasus `Majestic Jade`. This mutation was discovered at a
commercial nursery in Dayton, Oreg.
During the summer of 2013 the inventor propagated the interesting
mutation by semi-softwood cuttings at the commercial nursery in
Dayton, Oreg. The initial propagation showed the mutation to be
stable and additional generations were propagated, also by
semi-hardwood cuttings. Approximately 3 generations have been
reproduced since 2013, and have shown that the unique features of
this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The cultivar `MONARONE` has not been observed under all possible
environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with
variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and
light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The
following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined
to be the unique characteristics of `MONARONE` These
characteristics in combination distinguish `MONARONE` as a new and
distinct Prunus cultivar: 1. More compact plant habit. 2. Shorter
foliage than typical. 3. Reduced flower and fruit production. 4.
Reduced susceptibility to shot hole disease (Xanthomonas pruni and
X. campestris).
COMPARISON TO PARENT VARIETY
Plants of the new cultivar `MONARONE` are similar to plants of the
parent; Prunus laurocerasus `Majestic Jade` in most horticultural
characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar `MONARONE`
differ from the parent variety in the following: 1. More compact
plant habit. 2. Shorter foliage. 3. Less flowers and fruit
produced. 4. Less susceptible to leaf shot disease (Xanthomonas
pruni and X. campestris).
COMMERCIAL COMPARISON
`MONARONE` can be compared to the commercial variety Prunus
laurocerasus `Nana`, unpatented. Plants of the new cultivar
`MONARONE` are similar to plants of `Nana` in most horticultural
characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar `MONARONE`
differ in the following: 1. Darker green foliage. 2. Less flower
and fruit production 3. Cold tolerant to USDA Zones 6-9, `Nana`
tolerates temperatures in USDA Zones 7-9.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS
The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a
typical plant of `MONARONE` grown outdoors in Oreg.
FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a close up of the foliage. The
plant is approximately 2 years old, and is planted in a 5 gallon
pot.
The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and
although colors may appear different from actual colors due to
light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional
photographic techniques.
DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
In the following description, color references are made to The
Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general
terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following
observations and measurements describe `MONARONE` plants grown
outdoors in Dayton, Oreg. Plants are approximately 2 to 3 years
old, in a 5 gallon nursery container. Temperatures ranged from
-8.degree. C. to 20.degree. C. at night to 5.degree. C. to
35.degree. C. during the day. Measurements and numerical values
represent averages of typical plant types. Botanical
classification: Prunus laurocerasus `MONARONE`.
PROPAGATION
Time to rooting: Approximately 4 to 8 weeks at approximately
20.degree. C. to 30.degree. C. from semi-hardwood cuttings. Root
description: Fine, fibrous young roots. Older roots becoming woody.
Tan and brown in color, not accurately measured with R.H.S.
chart.
PLANT
Growth habit: Upright and outwardly spreading evergreen shrub.
Moderately dense. Shape: Round. Height: Approximately 60 to 65 cm.
Plant spread: Approximately 60 to 65 cm. Branching characteristics:
Above average branching for the species, average 6 to 8 main
branches, angled approximately 15 to 45 degrees on average. Length
of lateral branches: Approximately 25 to 40 cm. Diameter of lateral
branches: Approximately 0.7 to 1.0 cm. Lateral branch strength:
Very strong, with some flexibility. Lateral branch color: Young
branches near RHS Yellow-Green 144A. Mature branches: Near RHS
Greyed-Green 197A. Stem texture: No pubescence observed. Texture
moderately rough, somewhat scaly. Lenticels: Scant, round, 1mm
diameter colored near 197D. Occuring only on older, woody branches.
Number of leaves per lateral branch: Average 25 to 45. Internode
length: 1.0 to 1.5 cm. Age of plant described: Approximately 2 to 3
years.
FOLIAGE
Leaf: Type.--Simple. Arrangement.--Alternate. Average
length.--Approximately 8.0 to 10.5 cm. Average
width.--Approximately 2.0 to 2.5 cm. Shape of blade.--Elliptic.
Apex.--Acute. Base.--Attenuate. Attachment.--Short petiolate.
Margin.--Entire. Aspect.--Moderate upward fold from center vein.
Texture of top surface.--Smooth. Texture of bottom
surface.--Smooth. Appearance of top surface.--Very glossy. Texture
of bottom surface.--Matte. Leaf internode length.--Approximately
0.5 to 1.1 cm. Color.--Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green
139A. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Green 143C. Mature foliage
upper side: Near RHS Green 139A. Mature foliage under side: Near
RHS Green 143C. Venation.--Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper
side: Near Green 143C. Venation color under side: Near RHS
Yellow-Green 144B. Petiole: Length.--6 mm. Width.--3 mm.
Texture.--Glabrous all surfaces. Color.--Upper Surface:
Yellow-Green 144B. Lower Surface: Yellow Green 144A.
FLOWER
Inflorescence: Description.--Single flowers arranged in racemes.
Flowering season.--Spring. Flower longevity.--3-4 weeks.
Fragrance.--Moderate to strong. Inflorescence per branch.--Average
range 1 to 5. Number of flowers per inflorescence.--About 100 to
150. Inflorescence height.--Avg. 8.0 cm. Inflorescence
diameter.--Avg. 5.0 cm. Flowers: Flower diameter.--6 mm. Flower
depth.--5 mm. Flower angle.--Outwardly facing. Persistent of
self-cleaning.--Self-Cleaning. Flower bud.--Length: 3 mm. Diameter:
2 mm. Shape: Round. Color: White 155A. Petals.--Number: 5.
Arrangement: Whorl. Length: Avg. 4 mm. Width: Avg. 2.5 mm. Shape:
Obovate. Apex: Obtuse. Base: Fused. Margin: Entire. Texture:
Glabrous, silky upper and lower surfaces. Color: Immature upper
surface: White 155A. Immature lower surface: White 155A. Mature
upper surface: Yellow-White 158D. Mature lower surface: White 155A.
Hypanthium: Diameter.--4 mm. Length.--3 mm. Shape.--Cup-shaped.
Color.--When opening: Upper surface: Near RHS Yellow-White 158D.
Lower surface: Near RHS Yellow-White 158D. Fully opened: Upper
surface: Near RHS Yellow 13D. Lower surface: Near RHS Yellow 11D.
Calyx/sepals: Quantity per flower.--Fused into a single, conical
structure. Length.--3 mm. Width.--3 mm. Margin.--Entire.
Texture.--Smooth. Color.--Inner surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green
146C. Outer surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146C. Peduncle:
Length.--Avg. 4.5 cm. Width.--Avg. 1.5 mm. Color.--146A.
Texture.--Glabrous. Angle.--Upright and slightly outward.
Strength.--Strong. Pedicels: Length.--Avg. 1 mm. Diameter.--Avg. 1
mm. Texture.--Pubescent. Color.--Yellow-Green 146C.
Strength.--Strong.
REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS
Gynoecium: Pistil number.--1. Pistil length.--Less than 1 mm.
Stigma shape.--Disc. Stigma color.--Yellow-White 158D. Style
length.--Less than 1 mm. Style color.--White 155D. Androecium:
Stamen number.--5. Filament length.--1 mm. Filament
color.--Yellow-White 158D. Anther shape.--Oblong. Anther
length.--0.5 mm. Anther color.--Yellow 6 B. Amount of
pollen.--Scant. Pollen color.--Yellow 6B.
OTHER CHARACTERISTICS
Fruit: Approximately 5 to 20 per inflorescence. Spherical drupe 4
mm long, 4 mm in diameter, colored Black 202A over entire fruit,
smooth texture, lenticels not observed. Fruits are slightly
asymmetric and circular in lateral view. Fruit base is slightly
depressed. Fruit apex is slightly and shallowly depressed. Interior
cavity of the fruit is solid, somewhat dry and without observed
stone. Fruit pedicel about 3 mm long on a fruit rachis of between
1.5 to 4.5 cm. Pedicel and fruit rachis colored near Yellow-Green
145C. Self-fruitful. Fruit production is erratic, occurring between
July and September, some years no fruit may bear. Spurs not
observed present. Disease and pest resistance: Observed less
susceptible to the leaf blight referred to as "shot hole" disease:
(Xanthomonas pruni and X. campestris). Less leaf damage, in the
form of small holes in the leaf, have been observed than in
comparable varieties grown in identical conditions. Drought
tolerance: No tolerance for drought, extra water required in
extremely high temperatures. Temperature tolerance: USDA Zones 6 to
9.
* * * * *