U.S. patent number PP32,526 [Application Number 16/887,104] was granted by the patent office on 2020-11-24 for cuphea plant named `cupp1752`.
The grantee listed for this patent is Robert Cherry. Invention is credited to Robert Cherry.
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United States Patent |
PP32,526 |
Cherry |
November 24, 2020 |
Cuphea plant named `CUPP1752`
Abstract
A new and distinct variety of Cuphea named `CUPP1752` that is
characterized by prolifically self-branching dense and compact
plant habit, dark green leaves with contrasting pale grey-green
venation, and multicolored white, blushed-orange, scarlet and
violet tubular flowers which are borne in profusion, is
disclosed.
Inventors: |
Cherry; Robert (Gawler,
AU) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Cherry; Robert |
Gawler |
N/A |
AU |
|
|
Family
ID: |
73462081 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/887,104 |
Filed: |
May 29, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
PLT/420 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01H
1/1215 (20210101); A01H 5/02 (20130101); A01H
6/00 (20180501); A01H 1/121 (20210101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01H
5/02 (20180101); A01H 6/00 (20180101) |
Field of
Search: |
;PLT/420 |
Primary Examiner: McCormick Ewoldt; Susan
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Campbell; Barbara Weatherly IP
Solutions, LLC
Claims
I claim:
1. A new and distinct variety of Cuphea plant named `CUPP1752` as
described and illustrated herein.
Description
Genus and species: Cuphea ignea.
Variety denomination: `CUPP1752`.
BACKGROUND
The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of
Cuphea grown as an ornamental plant for use in the garden, in
planted containers and in the landscape. The new variety from the
family Lythraceae is known botanically as Cuphea ignea and is
commonly termed the cigar plant. The new invention will be referred
to hereinafter by the cultivar name `CUPP1752`.
In 2007, the inventor began to assemble at his nursery in Kulnura,
New South Wales, Australia a collection of species and seedlings of
various Cuphea plants including unnamed plants of Cuphea ignea. The
plants in the collection were exposed to open-pollination and
further plants were raised from collected seed. In 2013, the
inventor observed that one such seedling, now identified as
`CUPP1752`, bore flowers whose flower tube is white at the base
whereas the flower tubes of any of the possible parent seedlings
were orange-red in color as is typical of the species Cuphea ignea.
The parents of `CUPP1752` were unnamed seedlings previously raised
by the inventor.
The inventor carried out the first asexual propagation of
`CUPP1752` in 2013, using vegetative tip cuttings in Kulnura, New
South Wales, Australia. The inventor has since determined that
`CUPP1752` is stable and reproduces true-to-type in successive
generations of asexual propagation via vegetative tip cuttings.
SUMMARY
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent
the distinguishing characteristics of the new Cuphea variety named
`CUPP1752`. These traits in combination set `CUPP1752` apart from
all other existing varieties of Cuphea known to the inventor.
`CUPP1752` has not been tested under all possible conditions and
phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in
environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions without however
any variance in genotype. 1. `CUPP1752` is prolifically
self-branching and forms a dense and compact mounding plant habit.
2. `CUPP1752` is exceptionally compact in terms of its width or
spread. After one year's growth, `CUPP1752` is 30 cm in diameter
and when mature in the landscape, is 50 cm to 60 cm in diameter. 3.
`CUPP1752` bears tubular flowers at each node in profusion
year-round. 4. The flower tubes of `CUPP1752` are bi-colored, being
white towards the base, blushed orange towards the apex. 5. The
apex or mouth of the floral tube of `CUPP1752` is flared and
multicolored scarlet, violet and cream-yellow. 6. Up to six light
green tiny petal (or petal-like) appendages are affixed and
outward-facing to the apex or mouth of the floral tube. 7. The
flowers of `CUPP1752` are self-cleaning, falling off the plant
while still colorful. In consequence, plants of `CUPP1752` bear
only fresh and brightly colored flowers. 8. The leaves of
`CUPP1752` are dark green in color with contrasting pale grey-green
veins on the upper surface. 9. `CUPP1752` is hardy to USDA Zone
10.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall
appearance of the new Cuphea variety named `CUPP1752` showing the
color as true as is reasonably possible to obtain in color
reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ
from color values cited in the detailed botanical description,
which accurately describe the actual color of the new variety
`CUPP1752`. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 have been made by clear-cutting of a
photograph taken in October 2019 of a plant growing in an unheated
greenhouse in Oxnard Calif.
FIG. 1 shows a plant of `CUPP1752` growing in a 1-gallon
container.
FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of a flowering stem of `CUPP1752`.
FIG. 3 shows `CUPP1752` on the left alongside the comparison
variety Cuphea `Firecracker` (unpatented) on the right. The scale
in the drawing is a scale in inches. The drawing was made from
plants growing at the inventor's nursery in Kulnura, New South
Wales, Australia.
DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY
The following is a detailed botanical description of the new Cuphea
cultivar named `CUPP1752`. Observations and measurements were
collected in Santa Barbara, Calif., from 9-month-old plants grown
out of doors. Color determinations are made in accordance with the
Fifth Edition (2007) of The Royal Horticultural Society Colour
Chart from London, England, except where general color terms of
ordinary dictionary significance are used. Botanical
classification: Family.--Lythraceae. Genus.--Cuphea.
Species.--Hybrida. Denomination.--`CUPP1752`. Common name.--Cigar
plant. Parentage: Cuphea hybrida `CUPP1752` is a hybrid resulting
from the open-pollination of seedlings of the species Cuphea ignea.
Plant: Habit.--Dense, compact, mounding. Commercial
category.--Ornamental. Use.--For garden and landscape. Suggested
commercial container size.--1-gallon container. Propagation
method.--Vegetative cuttings. Rooting system.--Fine. Vigor.--Highly
vigorous and naturally self-branching. Crop time.--4 months to
produce a 1-gallon container from taking an initial cutting. Plant
dimensions.--After 15 weeks from planting a rooted cutting into a 1
gallon container, `CUPP1752` achieves a height of 20 cm and a
spread of 30 cm. When fully established in the landscape,
`CUPP1752` achieves a height of 50 cm and a spread of 50 cm to 60
cm in width. Cultural requirements.--Grow in full sun to part
shade. Pest or disease resistance.--None known to the inventor.
Pest or disease susceptibility.--None known to the inventor.
Hardiness.--USDA Zone 10. Special considerations.--Blooms
continually throughout the year in USDA Zone 10. Stem (main stem,
primary branches, secondary branches): Main stem (below first pinch
at 5 cm).--Shape: Cylindrical. Dimensions: 5 cm in length, 0.5 cm
in diameter at soil level. Surface: Rough. Color between N199B and
N200A. Primary branches.--Shape: Cylindrical. Dimensions: 15 cm to
20 cm in length, 2 mm to 3 mm in diameter. Internode distance: 2.0
cm to 2.5 cm. Surface: Lightly pubescent becoming smooth, glabrous
with age. Color: Ranges between 144C and N144D. Secondary
branches.--Shape: Cylindrical. Dimensions: 3 cm in length, 1.5 mm
in diameter. Internode distance: 1.0 cm to 1.5 cm. Surface: Lightly
pubescent becoming smooth, glabrous with age. Color: Ranges between
144C and N144D. Branch quantity: Very numerous, approximately 50
primary and secondary branches. Foliage: Type.--Evergreen. Leaf
arrangement.--Opposite. Leaf division.--Simple. Leaf
margin.--Entire, ciliate. Very fine silver-grey hairs, less than
0.5 mm in length. Leaf surface (abaxial and adaxial).--Glabrous.
Leaf shape.--Lanceolate. Leaf length.--2.5 cm. Leaf width.--1.5 cm.
Leaf color (adaxial surface).--139A. Leaf color (abaxial
surface).--138B. Leaf apex.--Acute. Leaf base.--Attenuate.
Venation.--Pinnate. Vein color (adaxial surface).--194D, midrib
prominent and contrasting. Vein color (abaxial surface).--139A,
slightly raised. Attachment.--Petiolate. Petiole
shape.--Cylindrical. Petiole surface.--Puberulent. Petiole
color.--Ranges between 144C and N144D. Petiole dimensions.--1.0 mm
to 1.5 mm length, 1 mm. in width. Leaf fragrance.--None observed.
Inflorescence: Inflorescence (axillary and terminal).--Solitary
flower. Inflorescence structure.--Modified calyx whose six sepals
are completely fused into a floral tube. Petals absent or present
as tiny ear-like appendages attached at apex of floral tube.
Inflorescence shape.--Narrow tubular, widening towards apex. Tube
terminates at base with globular nectar sac. Inflorescence
aspect.--Downward, approximately 45 degrees below the horizontal.
Inflorescence quantity.--Very numerous, typically 10 to 15 flowers
per stem, approximately 300 flowers per plant at any one time.
Blooming season.--Year round if frost-free and unshaded.
Inflorescence dimensions.--2.5 cm in length, 3 mm in diameter at
base, 5 mm in diameter at apex. Inflorescence color (mature
flowers, adaxial surface).--Nectar sac and approximately one-third
of entire tube length from base: NN155D to NN155B. Midpoint of the
tube, extending to just below and at the flared apex: 35B to 50B.
Flared apex: 42A, 59A, 11A and 11D are all individually present.
Inflorescence color (mature flowers, abaxial surface).--11D.
Inflorescence surface.--Glabrous. Inflorescence apex.--Flared, with
up to six outward-facing tiny petal appendages. Peduncle
color.--178D, except 144C towards stem. Peduncle dimensions.--8 m
to 11 mm in length, 1 mm. in diameter. Peduncle
shape.--Cylindrical. Peduncle surface.--Pubescent.
Petals.--Typically six in number, occasionally for or five. Petal
attachment.--At rim of apex, located at each fused sepal junction,
outward-facing. Petal dimensions.--2 mm in length, 1.5 mm in width,
apex rounded, margins entire, surface glabrous. Petal color (both
surfaces).--140A. Inflorescence persistence.--Self-cleaning.
Inflorescence fragrance.--None observed. Lastingness of
inflorescence (range).--3 to 5 days. Reproductive organs:
Stamens.--Quantity: 10 adnate to floral tube. Length: Ranges
between 3 mm (stamens entirely inside floral tube) and 11 mm
(stamens strongly exerted above floral tube apex). Diameter: 1 mm.
Color: N92A or darker towards 203C. Anthers: Ovoid, dorsifixed, 2
mm in length, 1 mm in width, color as stamens, N92A to 203C.
Pollen: None observed. Pistil quantity.--1. Pistil dimensions.--2.5
cm in length, 1 mm in diameter. Pistil color.--54A becoming 203C
towards and immediately beneath stigma. Stigma.--Miniscule,
hemispherical, diameter very slightly greater than diameter of
pistil at attachment. Stigma color.--54A. Ovary position: Superior.
Ovary shape: Ovoid. Ovary dimensions: 1.5 mm in height, 2 mm in
diameter. Ovary color (observed immature): 145B.
COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND KNOWN VARIETY
`CUPP1752` is distinguishable from its parents and in general from
the species Cuphea ignea, by flower color, by the color of the
young stems and by the color of the leaves. Whereas `CUPP1752`
bears flowers whose flower tube is white at the base, becoming
blushed orange towards the apex, the flower tubes of the parents,
the species and other known varieties are predominantly orange-red
in color. The young stems of `CUPP1752` are green in color, whereas
the young stems of the parents and the species are grey-red in
color. The leaves of `CUPP1752` are dark green in color, whereas
the leaves of the parents and the species are mid-green in
color.
The variety of Cuphea which the inventor considers most closely to
resemble `CUPP1752` is an old variety of Cuphea known in Australia
as Cuphea `Firecracker` (unpatented). This variety is not the same
variety as a Cuphea plant also named `Firecracker` (U.S. Plant Pat.
No. 13,595). The comparison variety `Firecracker` (unpatented)
exhibits a similar very compact habit (30 cm in width after one
year) to `CUPP1752` but differs by flower color and the color of
the young stems and the foliage. Whereas `CUPP1752` bears flowers
whose flower tube is white at the base, becoming blushed orange
towards the apex, the flower tubes of `Firecracker` (unpatented)
are predominantly orange-red in color. The young stems of
`CUPP1752` are green in color, whereas the young stems of
`Firecracker` (unpatented) are grey- red in color. The leaves of
`CUPP1752` are dark green in color, whereas the leaves of
`Firecracker` (unpatented) are mid-green in color.
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