BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of flowering dogwood tree cultivar, which has fused bracts. This dogwood tree is botanically known as Cornus kousa and hereinafter referred to by the following cultivar name: ‘Pam's Mountain Bouquet’.
This new dogwood cultivar was discovered in a planting of seedlings within a cultivated area in Oak Ridge, Tenn. ‘Pam's Mountain Bouquet’ is a selection from the original seedlings grown in Oak Ridge, Tenn. from seed gifted by Polly Hill. Asexual reproduction of ‘Pam's Mountain Bouquet’ by rooting of harvested terminal cuttings and grafting of axillary buds onto seedling rootstocks in Oak Ridge, Tenn. and at a nursery located in Belvidere Tenn. have shown that the unique features of this new dogwood cultivar are stable and reproduced true-to-type in successive vegetative generations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1. Photograph of ‘Pam's Mountain Bouquet’. Colors in the photograph may differ from actual colors due to lighting and light reflectance.
FIGS. 2A and 2B. Close-up Photographs of ‘Pam's Mountain Bouquet’ bracts.
FIG. 3. Dendrogram illustrating the relatedness of “Pam's Mountain Bouquet” to other selected Cornus kousa cultivars using 11 microsatellite (SSR; Simple Sequence Repeat) markers. Note: Cultivar Beni Fuji is disclosed in U.S. Plant. Pat. No. 8,676.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY A new and distinct cultivar of flowering dogwood tree cultivar, which has fused bracts is provided. This dogwood tree cultivar is botanically known as Cornus kousa and referred to by the following cultivar name: ‘Pam's Mountain Bouquet’. This cultivar appears to be resistant to powdery mildew caused by Erisphe pulchra and dogwood anthracnose caused by Discula destructiva.
This new and distinct dogwood tree cultivar was discovered in a planting of seedlings within a cultivated area in Oak Ridge, Tenn. and arose from seed gifted by Ms. Polly Hill. ‘Pam's Mountain Bouquet’ is a selection from the original seedlings. The instant cultivar was derived from open-pollinated seeds that were bulked from maternal parents ‘Big Apple’, ‘Snowbird’, ‘Steeple’ and an unnamed tree and the potential paternal parents ‘Big Apple’, ‘Julian’, ‘Steeple’ and another unnamed tree (Auge et al., 2002). Thus, it is not possible to ascertain the exact parentage. The subject dogwood tree cultivar differs from all of the potential parents in that the instant cultivar has fused bracts, whereas none of the potential parent cultivars show the same characteristic.
Asexual reproduction of ‘Pam's Mountain Bouquet’ by rooting of harvested terminal cuttings and grafting of axillary buds onto seedling rootstocks in Oak Ridge, Tenn. and at a nursery located in Belvidere, Tenn. has shown that the unique features of this new dogwood cultivar are stable and reproduced true-to-type in successive generations.
DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe this cultivar grown in Oak Ridge, Tenn. Trees used for this description were about twenty (20) years old. Plant hardiness is expected to be zones 4-9. The color characteristic descriptions use color references to The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart (published 2001), except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. Measurements are provided as an average (with ranges also provided as indicated).
The following Table 1 shows microsatellite (SSR) markers used to perform unweighted pair group with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) cluster analysis of 29 cultivars and lines of Cornus kousa. GenBank accession numbers are given along with, locus designations, forward (F) and reverse (R) primer sequences (5′-3′ direction), and repeat motif:
TABLE 1
GenBank
acces-
sion no. Locus Primer sequences (5'-3') Repeat
EU544308 CK005 F:GCATTTGTCCTTTGTTTGACAT (AC)20
(SEQ ID NO: 1)
R:TTTTTCGCGAAGTGTTCTCTAC
(SEQ ID NO: 2)
EU125522 CK007 F:GAGCCCAGAAGAAGAATATAGAC (AG)8
(SEQ ID NO: 3)
R:ATATAATTGGGTTGGGTTTTG
(SEQ ID NO: 4)
EU125523 CK015 F:GTCAAATTTTTGATCTTTCTCTCT (CT)10
(SEQ ID NO: 5)
R:GGAGAGACAGAGTACAGTAGAGGT
(SEQ ID NO: 6)
EU125524 CK029 F:AATTTAGGTTAAGGTTTTGATTTG (TC)8
(SEQ ID NO: 7)
R:AGAGAGAATAGGTTACAGCATCAT
(SEQ ID NO: 8)
EU125525 CK031 F:TGTCACTGCTTACAGAAACAAT (CT)7
(SEQ ID NO: 9)
R:TATGACGAGATTGTATAAGTTGCT
(SEQ ID NO:10)
EU125526 CK040 F:CCAAGTCAGTTTGGTAGTAATTC (GT)16
(SEQ ID NO: 11)
R:AGTGCAACTTTTACTTGCTATGT
(SEQ ID NO: 12)
EU125529 CK048 F:ACCAACCAAAAGAAGTATAAAGAA (TA)6
(SEQ ID NO: 13)
R:CCTATAAATAAGGAGTGATTTGGT
(SEQ ID NO: 14)
EU544309 CK058 F:CTTAAGTCACAAAGACAATGAAAT (GT)10
(SEQ ID NO: 15)
R:AAGAGAGTTCAGATTTATCTTTGC
(SEQ ID NO: 16)
EU544310 CK070 F:CTTTTCTACACCCTTAACAAGTG (GT)9
(SEQ ID NO: 17)
R:TAGACAATATGTGCTTAATTGGTT
(SEQ ID NO: 18)
EU544311 CK071 F:CTGCTCGGTTAAGGTATGTT (TG)9
(SEQ ID NO: 19)
R:TTTAAAGTGCGTTGTATACATAA
AT (SEQ ID NO: 20)
EU544312 CK072 F:AGCACTCATAGTCCTTGCAC (GT)10
(SEQ ID NO: 21)
R:GTTAAAACGAAGAAGATACAACAA
(SEQ ID NO: 22)
TABLE 2
Characteristics of Pam's Mountain Bouquet'
Color Descriptions are based upon the
Royal Horticultural Society's (RHS) colour chart, 2001.
Comparative
Variety
Generalized ‘Pam's Mountain (Milky
Character Characteristics Bouquet’ Way Select)
1 Tree form upright spreading Spreading-
(observation) semi-upright to semi-
spreading upright
weeping
others
2 Tree height dwarf low Medium
(observation) low (about 3-4 meters;
medium spread about 4 -5
high meters, and
very high dependent on age
and environment)
3 Branch thickness thin medium Medium
(measurement) medium (age dependent)
Thickness in the thick
middle portion
of a plant
4 Color of current Yellow Green Green
Shoot Yellow green 143B 143B
(observation) Green
current shoot Grayish green
color in the Purple
middle portion Crimson
of a plant Brown
Others
5 Branch color Yellow Greyed; Green Greyed;
(observation) Yellow green 198B Green
current branch Green 198B
color in the Purplish
middle portion crimson
of a plant Crimson
second year+ Brown
Others
6 Dark spots on Absent Absent Absent
Branch Present
(observation)
presence of dark
spots on the
branch
7 Branching Low High Medium
(observation) Medium
density of High
branching
8 Internode length Short Short Short
(measurement) medium
Internode length long
in the middle
portion of a plant
9 whole shape of Lanceolate Obovate Obovate
leaves Oblanceolate
(observation) Oblong
see Fig. 1 whole Elliptical
shape of a leaf in Ovate
the middle Obovate
portion of a plant Orbicular
Others
10 Shape of leaf Acuminate Acuminate Acuminate
tip(observation) Acute
see Fig. 2 Tip obtuse
shape of a leaf in Rotundate
the middle Others
portion of a plant
11 Shape of leaf Acuminate Truncate Truncate
Base Acute
(observation) obtuse
see FIG. 2A Rotundate
and FIG. 2B Others
Base shape of a
leaf in the middle
portion of a plant
12 Shape of leaf Entire Entire Entire
Margin others
(observation)
shape of a leaf
margin in the
middle portion of
a plant
13 Leaf rolling Rolling inward Rolling inward Rolling
(observation) Flat inward
Rolling outward
14 Leaf curvature In-curved Flat Flat
(observation) Flat
Out-curved
15 Leaf margin None None None
Undulation presence
(observation)
16 Leaf length Short Long Medium
(measurement) Medium (about 10-14 cm)
Length from the long
tip to the base of
mature leaf
17 Leaf width Narrow Narrow Medium
(measurement) Medium (about 4-5 cm)
The maximum wide
width of mature
leaf
18 Leaf thickness Thin Medium Medium
(observation) Medium
Thickness of Thick
mature leaf
19 Bud color Yellowish Grayish green Grayish
(observation) white 179A Green
Color of bud just Yellow 191A
after sprouting Yellow green
Green
Grayish green
Crimson
Others
20 Immature leaf Yellowish Light Green Light Green
color white 135B 135B
(observation) Yellow
Yellow green
Green
Grayish green
pink
Crimson
others
21 Presence of Absent Absent Absent
anthocyanin present
(observation)
Coloration by
anthocyanin on
the immature leaf
upperside
22 Color of leaf Yellow Green Green
upperside Yellow green 143B 146A
(observation) Green
Color of mature Grayish green
leaf upperside Purplish
crimson
Crimson
others
23 Color of leaf Yellow Light Green Medium
lowerside Yellow green 146B Green
(observation) Light green 137A
Color of mature Green
leaf lowerside Dark green
Grayish green
Purplish
crimson
others
24 Seasonal change Unchanged Changed Changed
of a mature leaf changed
(observation)
25 Color of leaves in Yellow Red Dull Red to
autumn Orange 10C -46A maroon
(observation) Crimson 61B
others
26 Leaf variegation Not variegated Not variegated Not
(observation) variegated variegated
Variegation on
leaf upperside
27 Variegation Spotted NA NA
pattern Splashed
(observation) Margined
Pattern of Centered
variegation on a Blotched
leaf upperside others
28 Variegation color White NA NA
(observation) Yellowish
white
Greenish white
Yellow
Yellow Green
Green
Crimson
others
29 seasonal change Unchanged NA NA
of variegation changed
color
(observation)
30 Hair on leaf None None None
upperside Low
(observation) Medium
hair density on a high
mature leaf
upperside
31 Hair on leaf None None None
lowerside Low
(observation) Medium
hair density on a high
mature leaf
lowerside
32 Petiole length Short Short Medium
(measurement) Medium (about 1.5-2.5
Length from Long cm.)
the base of blade Very long
to the base
petiole
33 Petiole width Narrow Medium Medium
(measurement) Medium (<8 mm)
The maximum wide
width of a
mature leaf
petiole
34 Petiole color Yellowish white Green Green
(observation) Yellow Green 143B 143B
Green
Crimson
others
35 Inflorescence Corymb Umbel Umbel
type Umbel
(observation) Head
others
36 Inflorescence Upright Upright Upright
direction Horizontal
(observation) pendulous
37 Inflorescence Small Medium Medium
diameter Medium (diagonal mean
(observation) large length including
bracts = 7.4 cm.;
mean width not
including bracts =
5.3 cm)
38 Flower diameter Small Small Small
(measurement) Medium
Large
Very large
39 Floret diameter Small Small Small
(measurement) Medium
Large
40 Floret color White Yellow Greenish
(observation) Yellowish white 150C yellow
Greenish yellow 150C
Light Green
others
41 Bract type Single 83% are FUSED; Single and
(observation) Semi-double 17% are Single unfused
Full-double (see Table 3)
others
42 Uniformity of Not uniform Not uniform Uniform
bract size uniform
(observation)
43 Bract over- Not overlap No overlap -- Slightly
lapping Slightly fused overlap
(observation) overlap
overlap
44 Bract orientation Ascending Recurved, Horizontal
(observation) Horizontal Reflexed, or Flat
arching
45 Bract rolling Rolling inward Varies (may roll Horizontal
(observation) Horizontal inward or
Rolling outward outward
46 Degree of bract Weak strong Weak
rolling Medium
(observation) strong
47 Bract curvature In-curved Varies Horizontal
(observation) Horizontal (can be recurved,
Out-curved flat, or reflexed)
48 Bract twisting None None None
(observation) Weak
Medium
strong
49 Whole shape of Oblong Obovate
bracts Elliptical Ovate
(observation) Ovate
Obovate
Orbicular
others
50 Shape of bract Acuminate Acuminate
apex Acute Acuminate
(observation) Abtuse
Rotundate
Emarginated
others
51 Bract length Short Medium Medium
(measurement) Medium
Long
52 Bract width Narrow FUSED Medium
(measurement) Medium
wide
53 Number of bracts Few FUSED, but 4 Medium(4)
(measurement) Medium(4)
Many(over 10)
54 Bract color (color of bract 155A 155A
(measurement) in full bloom) (immature: 157A)
55 Bract variegation Not variegated Not variegated Not
(observation) variegated variegated
56 Variegation Margined NA NA
pattern Splashed
(observation) Bi-colored
Spotted
shaded
others
57 Variegation (Color of NA NA
color variegation
(measurement) pattern of a
bract in full
bloom)
58 Pistil color White Yellow green Yellow
(observation) Yellowish Not coded green
white Not coded
Greenish white
Yellow green
Green
others
59 Stigma color White Dark Green Green
(observation) Yellowish (Not Coded) (Not
white Coded)
Greenish white
Yellow green
Green
others
60 Peduncle Thin Medium Medium
thickness Medium
(measurement) thick
61 Peduncle length Short Long Medium
(measurement) Medium (mean of 6.8 cm)
long
62 Peduncle color Yellowish white Yellow green Yellow
(observation) yellow 144B green
Yellow green 144B
Green
Crimson
brown
others
63 Fruit shape Elliptical Globose Globose
(observation) Ovate
Obovate
Globose
others
64 Fruit length Short Medium Medium
(measurement) Medium (about 4 cm)
long
65 Fruit width Narrow Medium Medium
(measurement) Medium (about 4 cm)
wide
66 Fruit color Yellow Unripe:143B; Ripe: 33B
(observation) Orange Ripe 33B to 43A. to 44A
Crimson Highly variable Highly
Purplish black depending on variable
Black ripeness depending
others on ripeness
67 Fragrance Absent Absent Absent
(observation) present
68 Seed fertility Sterile High High
(observation) Low
Medium
high
69 Time to the first Early Medium Medium
flowering Medium (April-mid-May)
(observation) late
70 Blooming habit Few Many Many
(observation) Medium
many
71 Flowering One season One season One season
season flowering flowering flowering
(observation) Recurrent
blooming
others
72 Flowering time Early Medium Medium
(observation) Medium
late
73 Deciduous or Deciduous Deciduous Deciduous
evergreen Half-deciduous
(observation) evergreen
74 Cold hardiness Weak Medium Medium
(observation) Medium (to −20° C.—no
strong effect)
75 Heat tolerance Weak Strong Strong
(observation) Medium (to 40° C.—no
strong effect)
76 Pest resistance Weak Strong Strong
(observation) Medium (no specific pests
strong noted; resistant to
dogwood
anthracnose and
powdery mildew)
77 Disease Weak Strong Strong
resistance Medium
(observation) strong
78
79 Bark color n/a Grayed-Green Not
198B observed
80 Bark texture n/a Smooth Not
observed
81 Angle of n/a 20°-30° from Not
Emerging vertical stem observed
Branches
82 Time to first leaf n/a Mid- to late-April Not
bud burst observed
83 Leaf Vein color n/a Green-Greyed Not
192A observed
84 Immature Leaf n/a Similar to fully Not
color expanded leaf observed
color
85 Bract base n/a Truncate Not
observed
86 Bract margin n/a Entire Not
observed
87 Vestiture n/a Puberulous, Not
reticulate observed
88 Flower/ n/a Mean = 34 Not
inflorescensce observed
number
89 Seed shape n/a Flattened along Not
length observed
90 Seed color n/a Greyed Yellow Not
162D observed
91 Seed number n/a 0-17 per fruit Not
observed
92 Bloom duration n/a 3-5 weeks Not
(dried, dead observed
bracts are retained
as a “collar” on
peduncle until
fruit fall in
Autumn)
93 Time of Fruit n/a Begins mid- to Not
Ripening late-August observed
through October
94 Trunk diameter n/a 18 cm at 15 years Not
(at approximately of age observed
breast height)
95 Anther color n/a Greyed-purple Not
N186 observed
96 Flower petal n/a Yellow-green Not
color 145C observed
97 Style/Stigma n/a Inconspicuous Not
description observed
- Botanical classification: Cornus kousa ‘Pam's Mountain Bouquet’.
- Unique features: This tree features heavy flowering and exhibits fused bracts. About 82% of all bracts on the cultivar exhibit some degree of fusion (one side, two sides or three to four sides being fused; see data in Table 3).
TABLE 3
Cornus kousa ‘Pam's Mountain Bouquet’
bract characteristics.
One side Two sides 3-4 sides
Year Not fused fused fused fused
2008 (n = 50) 7 (14%) 3 (6%) 12 (24%) 28 (56%)
2009 (n = 50) 10 (20%) 1 (2%) 4 (8%) 35 (70%)
2011 (n = 50) 9 (18%) 5 (10%) 9 (18%) 27 (54%)
Mean 9 (18%) 3 (6%) 8 (16%) 30 (60%)
- All categories of fused bracts=82%.
- Disease susceptibility: None noted. Powdery mildew caused by Erisphe pulchra and dogwood anthracnose Discula destructiva were not observed. Nearby C. florida (flowering dogwood) trees were heavily infested with powdery mildew, but not dogwood anthracnose.
- Insect damage: None noted.
REFERENCES
- Auge, R. M., M. T. Windham, J. L. Moore, W. T. Witte, E. Kubikova, W. E. Klingeman, R. M. Evans, J. H. Reiss, P. C. Flanagan, and A. M. Saxton. 2002. Leaf curl and water relations of kousa dogwoods showing resistance to summer stress. J. Environ. Hort. 20 (3):143-147.
- Wadl, P. A., X. Wang, A. N. Trigiano, J. A. Skinner, M. T. Windham, T. A. Rinehart, S. M. Reed, V. R. Pantalone and R N. Trigiano. 2008. Molecular identification key for cultivars and lines of Cornus florida and C. kousa based on microsatellite loci. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 133 (6): 783-793.
- Wadl, P. W., X. Wang, B. E. Scheffler, T. A. Rinehart, and R. N. Trigiano. 2008. Microsatellites from kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa). Molec. Ecol. Res. 8:780-782. DOI:10.1111/j.1471-8286.2007.0262.x.
- Wadl, P. W., Windham, M. T., Evans, R., Trigiano, R. N. 2014. Three New Cultivars of Cornus kousa: Empire, Pam's Mountain Bouquet, and Red Steeple. HortScience 49 (9):1230-1233.
