plant named ‘PVDRASG2’

Abstract

A new and distinct Dracaena plant named ‘PVDRASG2’ which is characterized by the combination of compact growth habit with dark green foliage born on an unbranched dark green stem, relatively broad and lightly spiraled foliage with coarsely undulate margins, and the stability of these characteristics from generation to generation.

Description

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Dracaena fragrans.

Variety denomination: The inventive cultivar of Dracaena disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘PVDRASG2’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: ‘PVDRASG2’ is a spontaneous whole-plant mutation of Dracaena fragrans ‘Steudneri’ (not patented), which was discovered at a commercial greenhouse in San Jose, Costa Rica in 2016. The mutation was initially noted for its large, dark green foliage. Said mutation was isolated for further evaluation to confirm the uniformity and stability of the unique characteristics first observed. Upon confirmation of the stability and uniformity of the characteristics, the new plant was selected for commercialization.

Asexual Reproduction: Asexual reproduction of ‘PVDRASG2’ is accomplished by way of rooting stem cuttings. Propagation was first performed in 2017 at the inventor's commercial greenhouse in San Jose, Costa Rica. Through two subsequent generations, the unique features of this cultivar have proven to be stable and true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘PVDRASG2’ 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 ‘PVDRASG2’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘PVDRASG2’ as a new and distinct Dracaena fragrans cultivar:

• • 1. Dracaena ‘PVDRASG2’ exhibits a compact growth habit with dark green foliage born on an unbranched dark green stem; and
  • 2. Dracaena ‘PVDRASG2’ exhibits relatively broad, lightly spiraled foliage with coarsely undulate margins.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, an exemplary plant of ‘PVDRASG2’ grown in San Jose, Costa Rica. This plant, grown in a 17 cm nursery container, is approximately 26 weeks old from a rooted young plant; and

FIG. 2 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical foliage of ‘PVDRASG2’.

FIG. 3 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical lower foliage of ‘PVDRASG2’, shown from an alternate perspective.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following observations and measurements, made in May of 2019, describe averages from a sample set of six specimens of 26 week-old ‘PVDRASG2’ plants grown in 17 cm nursery pots in San Jose, Costa Rica. Plants were produced using conventional greenhouse production protocols for Dracaena sp. which consisted of growing under shade cloth, irrigating at regular intervals with ebb and flow flood benches, and fertigation. No chemical treatments of any kind were utilized.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘PVDRASG2’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may differ from the descriptions set forth herein with variations in environmental, climatic and cultural conditions. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2015 (sixth edition).

A botanical description of ‘PVDRASG2’ and comparisons with the parent plant and most similar commercial Dracaena cultivar known to the inventor are provided below.

• Plant description:
  • • Growth habit.—Upright evergreen perennial with foliage born on a solitary unbranched stem.
    • Plant profile.—Broad oblong to oblong.
    • Average height from base to top of foliage.—82.8 cm.
    • Average width.—Average of 75.3 cm.
    • Growth rate.—Moderately fast to fast growing.
    • Plant vigor.—Highly vigorous.
    • Propagation details.—Asexual propagation is accomplished by stem cuttings.
    • Time to initiate roots.—Approximately 5 weeks are required to initiate roots at 25 degrees Celsius.
    • Time to produce a marketable 15 cm potted plant.—Approximately 26 weeks. Pinching will increase lateral branching.
    • Disease and pest resistance or susceptibility.—Neither tolerance nor resistance to normal diseases and pests of Dracaena fragrans have been observed.
    • Environmental tolerances.—Adapt to USDA Hardiness Zones 10 through 12 and temperatures as high as 40 degrees Celsius; moderate tolerance to rain and wind.
• Root system:
  • • General.—Fibrous; freely branched and moderately dense rooting.
    • Distribution in the soil profile.—Shallow to moderately deep.
    • Texture.—Smooth; glabrous.
    • Color.—Greyed-orange, RHS N170A.
• Stems:
  • • Branching characteristics.—Not freely branched in nature; develops lateral branches only when manipulated by man by way of pruning. Naturally produces one main stem arising from the plant's base.
    • Attitude.—Near vertical.
    • Strength.—Very strong.
    • Length.—53.0 cm.
    • Diameter.—Average 1.8 cm.
    • Internode length.—Average 0.9 cm.
    • Stem texture.—Glabrous; smooth.
    • Stem luster.—Matte.
    • Color, developing stems.—Yellow-Green, nearest to in between RHS 145C and 145D.
    • Color, mature stems.—Yellow-Green, nearest to RHS 145C.
    • Color at the internodes.—Yellow-Green, nearest to RHS 146C.
• Foliage:
  • • Arrangement.—Spiraled.
    • Attachment.—Sheathed.
    • Division.—Simple.
    • Attitude.—Foliage near the apex is upright to outward and becomes progressively more relaxed towards the base.
    • Number of leaves per lateral branch.—40.
    • Lamina.—Dimensions — 40.7 cm long and 7.7 cm wide, on average. Shape — Lorate. Aspect — Very lightly spiraled, with the distalmost portion on the lamina curling downward at an average angle of minus −70 degrees to the rest of the lamina. Apex — Narrowly acute with a short, soft but pointed tip. Base — Sheathed. Sheath — Length — 2.8 cm. Width — 1.9 cm. Color, adaxial surface — Greyed-green, nearest to RHS 196C. Color, abaxial surface — Green, nearest to RHS NN137A. Margin — Entire; coarsely undulate. Texture and luster of adaxial surface — Smooth, glabrous and moderately glossy. Texture and luster of abaxial surface — Smooth, glabrous and matte. Color — Juvenile foliage, adaxial surface — Green, nearest to RHS NN137A. Juvenile foliage, abaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 147B. Mature foliage, adaxial surface — Nearest to in between green and yellow-green, RHS NN137A and 147A. Mature foliage, abaxial surface — Nearest to in between green and yellow-green, RHS 138A and 147B. Venation — Pattern — Parallel. Color, adaxial surface — The main vein nearest green, nearest to RHS 143A. All other veins are indistinguishable from the surrounding foliage: nearest to in between green and yellow-green, RHS NN137A and 147A. Color, abaxial surface — The main vein is yellow-green, nearest to RHS 1478. All other veins are indistinguishable from the surrounding foliage: nearest to in between green and yellow-green, RHS 138A and 147B.
• Inflorescence: To date, flowering has not been observed.
• Flower buds: To date, flowering has not been observed.
• Flower: To date, flowering has not been observed.
• Reproductive organs: To date, flowering has not been observed.
• Seed and fruit: To date, flowering has not been observed.

COMPARISONS WITH THE PARENT PLANT AND CLOSEST KNOWN COMMERCIAL VARIETY

Plants of the new cultivar ‘PVDRASG2’ may be distinguished from its parent, Dracaena fragrans ‘Steudneri’ plant (not patented), by the characteristics described in Table 1.

	TABLE 1
	Characteristic	‘PVDRASG2’	‘Steudneri’
	Growth habit.	Less compact.	More compact.
	Foliage attitude.	Foliage is generally	Foliage is generally
		more upright.	more relaxed.
	Foliage aspect.	Less spiraled (i.e.	More spiralled.
		axially twisted)
	Foliage margins.	More undulate.	Less undulate.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘PVDRASG2’ may be distinguished from the closest known commercial comparator, Dracaena fragrans ‘Golden Coast’ (not patented), by the characteristics described in Table 2.

TABLE 2
Characteristic	‘PVDRASG2’	‘Golden Coast’
Foliage attitude.	Foliage is	Foliage is generally more
	generally	upright.
	more relaxed.
Foliage margins.	Undulate.	No undulation.
General coloration	Dark green; no	Green foliage with broad, light
of the foliage.	variegation.	green to light yellow axial
		striations towards the margins;
		narrowly margined yellow.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dracaena fragrans plant named ‘PVDRASG2’, substantially as described and illustrated herein.