U.S. patent number PP32,011 [Application Number 16/501,791] was granted by the patent office on 2020-07-21 for portulacaria plant named `lilliput`.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Altman Specialty Plants, Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Altman Specialty Plants, Inc. Invention is credited to Renee O'Connell.
United States Patent |
PP32,011 |
O'Connell |
July 21, 2020 |
Portulacaria plant named `LILLIPUT`
Abstract
A new and distinct Portulacaria cultivar named `LILLIPUT` is
disclosed, characterized by a diminutive overall stature, and small
emerald green leaves. Plants are a size suitable for smaller
gardens. The new variety is a Portulacaria, typically produced as a
garden or container plant.
Inventors: |
O'Connell; Renee (Escondido,
CA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Altman Specialty Plants, Inc |
Vista |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Altman Specialty Plants, Inc.
(Vista, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
71611731 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/501,791 |
Filed: |
June 6, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
PLT/373 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01H
6/00 (20180501); A01H 5/12 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01H
5/12 (20180101); A01H 6/00 (20180101) |
Field of
Search: |
;PLT/373 |
Primary Examiner: McCormick Ewoldt; Susan
Assistant Examiner: Redden; Karen M
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Bright; Cassandra
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A new and distinct cultivar of Portulacaria plant named
`LILLIPUT` as herein illustrated and described.
Description
Latin name of the genus and species: Portulacaria afra.
Variety denomination: `LILLIPUT`.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The new cultivar is a product of a naturally occurring whole plant
mutation in a commercial nursery in Vista, Calif. The parent is an
unpatented, unnamed variety of Portulacaria afra. `LILLIPUT` was
found and selected by the inventor in Vista, Calif. in June
2013.
Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar `LILLIPUT` was first
performed by vegetative tip cuttings at a commercial greenhouse in
Vista, Calif. in July 2013. `LILLIPUT` has since produced at least
15 generations and has shown that the unique features of this
cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The cultivar `LILLIPUT` 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 `LILLIPUT`. These
characteristics in combination distinguish `LILLIPUT` as a new and
distinct Portulacaria cultivar: 1. Small overall stature. 2. Small
leaves. 3. Suitable for smaller gardens.
PARENTAL COMPARISON
Plants of the new cultivar `LILLIPUT` are similar to the parent in
most horticultural characteristics. However, plants of the new
variety differ from the parent in the following: 1. New variety
exhibits a smaller stature than the parent. 2. New variety displays
a miniature appearance, due to smaller ramification and smaller
leaves than the parent. The parent is standard sized. 3. New
variety is more suitable for small dish gardens than the
parent.
COMMERCIAL COMPARISON
`Lilliput` can be compared to the unpatented commercial variety
Portulacaria afra `Prostrata`. The two Portulacaria varieties are
similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new
variety differs in the following: 1. New variety has smaller leaves
than this comparator. 2. New variety has an upright morphology,
while the comparator has a more pendulous morphology. 3. New
variety is more suitable for small dish gardens than this
comparator.
`Lilliput` can also be compared to the unpatented commercial
variety Portulacaria afra `Variegta`. The two Portulacaria
varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics;
however, the new variety differs in the following: 1. New variety
displays a more diminutive morphology than this comparator. 2. New
variety exhibits much smaller leaves and ramifications than this
comparator. 3. `Lilliput` produces leaves that are monotone emerald
green, whereas `Variegta` produces mint green leaves, margined with
pale yellow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS
The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and
equipment. While the colors in these photographs may display
variances of color as compared to the living cultivar, due to LRV
(light reflectance value), they are as accurate as possible using
conventional photographic techniques. Colors in the photographs may
appear to differ slightly from the color values cited in the
botanical description, which accurately describe the colors of new
Portulacaria afra `Lilliput`.
FIG. 1 illustrates in full color the rosette being described of
Portulacaria afra `Lilliput`, grown in a greenhouse (approximately
2500 foot candles) in Vista, Calif., at approximately 1 year.
FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a comparison of stems and foliage
of 4 Portulacaria afra varieties. On the far left is Portulacaria
afra `Macrophylla`, next from the left Portulacaria afra (unnamed
parent), third from the left, Portulacaria afra `Prostrata`.
Furthest right is Portulacaria afra `Lilliput`. All plants were
grown in a greenhouse (approximately 2500 foot candles) in Vista,
Calif.
DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
In the following description, color references are made to The
Royal Horticultural Society Color Chart, 2007 edition, except where
general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The
following observations and measurements describe `LILLIPUT` plants
in a commercial shadehouse in Vista, Calif. Temperatures ranged
from 34.degree. F. to 90.degree. F. during the night and day. No
artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments
were given to the plants. Natural light conditions were
approximately 3000 to 4000 foot candles of light. Measurements and
numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.
Botanical classification: Portulacaria afra `LILLIPUT`. Age of the
plant described: About 1 year.
PROPAGATION
Time to initiate roots: Approximately 25 days at 22.degree. C.
Propagation method: Vegetative tip cuttings.
PLANT
Growth habit: Tender succulent. Upright, with lateral branches
occurring at angles of 15 to 85.degree. from center. Acute angles
most common. Container size: 5 inches. Height: Approximately 32 cm.
Plant spread: Approximately 30 cm, in a 5 inch pot. Growth rate:
Moderate. Branching characteristics: Opposite. Each opposite pair
occurring 90.degree. from above pair. Length of lateral branches:
Average range 5 to 21 cm. Diameter of lateral branches:
Approximately 4 to 5 mm. Quantity branches: 2 to 4 large main
lateral branches, from each main stem. Upper section of main stems
has 8 to 12 small lateral branches forming. Texture.--Glabrous.
Shape.--Round. Color.--Near RHS Greyed-Purple 185B. Root
description: Densely fibrous. Brown, not accurately measured with a
standard color chart.
FOLIAGE
Leaf: Arrangement.--Opposite Sessile. Average length.--Average
range 1.2 to 1.5 cm. Average width.--Average range 1.1 to 1.4 cm.
Shape of blade.--Broad spatulate. Apex.--Broad rounded, mucronate.
Base.--Broad taper. Margin.--Entire. Texture of top
surface.--Glabrous. Texture of bottom surface.--Glabrous.
Appearance of top surface.--Slightly glossy. Appearance of lower
surface.--Slightly glossy. Quantity of leaves per
branch.--Approximately 50. Color.--Young foliage upper side: RHS
Yellow-Green 144A. Young foliage, under side: RHS Yellow-Green
144B. Mature foliage upper side: RHS Green 138A. Mature foliage,
under side: RHS Yellow-Green 144A. Venation.--There is no visual
appearance of venation.
FLOWER
Flowering not observed.
OTHER CHARACTERISTICS
Fruits and seeds: Not observed to date. Temperature tolerance: USDA
zones 10 and above. Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor
susceptibility to standard pathogens or pests of Portulacaria
observed. Drought tolerance: Good tolerance for drought.
* * * * *