plant named ‘Cha Cha’

Abstract

A new cultivar of Cordyline plant named ‘Cha Cha’ that is characterized by a compact habit and linear shaped variegated leaves that are grey-orange with green margins when young and mature to yellow with green margins.

Description

Botanical classification: Cordyline australis.

Variety denomination: ‘Cha Cha’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Cordyline australis and is hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Cha Cha’. The new cultivar was discovered by the inventor in a cultivated area of Kihikihi, Waikato, New Zealand in 2007. The new cultivar was discovered as a single plant in a bed of unidentified Cordyline australis cultivars. The exact parent plants are unknown.

The new cultivar was first asexually propagated by tissue culture in Auckland, New Zealand in 2007. Since that time, under careful observation, the unique characteristics of the new cultivar have been uniform, stable and reproduced true to type by tissue culture in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new Cordyline ‘Cha Cha’ is distinguished from other known varieties of Cordyline, by the following characteristics:

• • 1. Cordyline ‘Cha Cha’ exhibits a compact habit.
  • 2. Cordyline ‘Cha Cha’ exhibits linear shaped leaves
  • 3. Cordyline ‘Cha Cha’ exhibits variegated leaves that when young are grey-orange with green margins and mature to yellow with green margins.

The closest comparison cultivar is Cordyline ‘Abertii’ (not patented). ‘Cha Cha’ is distinguishable from ‘Albertii’ in having a more compact habit and variegated leaves that are grey-orange with green margins when young and mature to yellow with green margins. The leaves of ‘Albertii’ are green with yellow margins.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color photograph illustrates the distinguishing characteristics of the new cultivar ‘Cha Cha’.

The photograph shows an overall view of a 2 year old plant.

All photographs are taken using conventional photographic techniques and although foliage colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance, they are as accurate as possible by conventional photography.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the Cordyline cultivar named ‘Cha Cha’. Data was collected in Kihikihi, Waikato, New Zealand from 2 year old plants. The plants were grown outdoors in 2.5 liter containers under 50 percent shade house cover. The time of year was late Winter in the Southern Hemisphere. Phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, without however, any difference in genotype. Color determinations are in accordance with The 2001 Royal Horticultural Society Color Chart except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The growing requirements are similar to the species and no disease problems have been observed.

• Botanical classification: Cordyline australis ‘Cha Cha’.
• Common name: Cabbage Tree.
• Parentage: The exact parent plants of ‘Cha Cha’ are unknown.
• Type: Ornamental perennial.
• Growth rate: Approximately 6 cm. per month.
• Habit: Upright, arching.
• Height: 1.5 m. in height.
• Spread: 1.0 m. in width.
• Low temperature tolerance: −5 degrees Centigrade.
• High temperature tolerance: 40 degrees Centigrade.
• Propagation method: Tissue Culture.
• Vigor: Moderate.
• Root system: Fine and fibrous.
• Stem:
  • • Texture.—Smooth.
    • Dimensions.—Average 2.5 cm. in diameter and 5 cm. in length.
    • Color.—N167B.
• Foliage:
  • • Orientation.—Initially erect to outwardly arching.
    • Average number of leaves per plant.—48.
    • Compound or single.—Single.
    • Leaf shape.—Linear.
    • Leaf dimensions.—Average 50 cm. in length and 20 mm. in width.
    • Leaf apex.—Acute.
    • Leaf base.—Attenuate.
    • Leaf margins.—Entire.
    • Leaf texture.—Upper and lower surfaces: Smooth.
    • Leaf substance.—Leathery.
    • Leaf color of young leaves (upper surface).—172B with central longitudinal stripes N137A and margins N137A.
    • Leaf color of young leaves (lower surface).—N172D with central longitudinal stripes N137B and margins 137B.
    • Leaf color of mature leaves (upper surface).—151A with central longitudinal stripes 137B and margins 137B.
    • Leaf color of mature leaves (lower surface).—151A with central longitudinal stripes 137B and margins 137B.
    • Venation pattern.—Parallel.
    • Petiole.—Absent.
    • Pinching.—Removal of young plant tips is not required.
• Flower production: ‘Cha-Cha’ has not produced any flowers to date.
• Disease and pest resistance: No disease problems have been observed.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of Cordyline plant named ‘Cha Cha’ as described and illustrated.