plant named ‘HANSOTI43’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Sansevieria plant named ‘HANSOTI43’ is disclosed, characterized by dark-green foliage with a wide central band of light-green/creamy-yellow streaks. The new cultivar is a compact Birds Nest type Sansevieria forming small plants, reaching only about 12 cm in height at maturity. Plants require little water, having a moderate tolerance for drought, and are also tolerant of very wet conditions. The new variety is a Sansevieria, typically produced as an indoor ornamental plant.

Description

Latin name of the genus and species: Sansevieria trifasciata.

Variety denomination: ‘HANSOTI43’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Sansevieria plant, botanically known as Sansevieria trifasciata, of the family Asparagaceae, hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘HANSOTI43’.

Sansevieria is a monocotyledonous plant with fleshy, succulent leaves which are available in a huge range of species, varieties and cultivars as an outdoor ornamental plant (under tropical conditions) or as indoor plants.

The new Sansevieria ‘HANSOTI43’ was discovered and selected by the inventor, Ashish Hansoti, as a single aberrant side shoot within a planting of Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Hansoti22’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 33,126, a “Hahnii” or “Birds Nest” type of Sansevieria grown at a nursery in Village Vangani, District Thane, Maharashtra State in Western India. ‘HANSOTI43’ originated as a naturally-occurring mutation of the Sansevieria trifasciata variety ‘Hansoti22’ in May of 2019.

Asexual reproduction of the new Sansevieria cultivar by vegetative cuttings was first performed in August 2020 at a commercial nursery in Village Vangani, District Thane, Maharashtra State in Western India. This first and subsequent propagation have shown that the distinctive combination of characteristics of the new cultivar are reproduced true to type as long as the propagation was done through side shoots (basal suckers) originating from the base of the originally discovered plant. Thus, it can be said that the new cultivar reproduces true to type through side shoots (basal suckers).

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘HANSOTI43’, which in combination distinguish this Sansevieria as a new and distinct cultivar:

• • 1. Vivid and distinct central wide band (25 to 35 mm wide) of longitudinal lighter creamy yellow/greenish yellow streaks along length of the leaf in the center of the leaf.
  • 2. The entire leaf, other than this broad central band is dark green (similar to the comparable cultivar, the unpatented Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Hahnii Jade’) and entirely lacking in border stripe or variegation, in contrast to its parent, ‘Hansoti22’.
  • 3. Another way to describe the new cultivar, ‘HANSOTI43’, would be to say its identical to its parent, ‘Hansoti22’ except that it has lost its border band of creamy yellow.
  • 4. Another subtle difference between the new ‘HANSOTI43’ and its parent cultivar (Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Hansoti22’) is the leaf length in ‘HANSOTI43’ it is somewhat shorter in a plant of similar age, giving the rosette a more compact and tighter look.

Leaf width is quite variable and the strongest, healthiest plants have the widest leaves this is true across all Sansevieria trifasciata cultivars known to the inventor. This variation means leaf width can be anything from 5 cm to 8 cm wide depending on season, growing conditions and plant vigour and plant age. Typically, the leaves are of medium width (about 6 cm average measured at the widest part of the mature leaf under good growing conditions) and lanceolate with a firm, waxy texture. The blades are thick and fleshy.

The new variety ‘HANSOTI43’ is a variety of Sansevieria in the group denominated as “Birds Nest” or ‘Hahnii’ types based on its origin and overall plant form. The new variety presents an average of 12 leaves per plant when it reaches maturity (about 3 months from rooted liner) but over time it can grow and accumulate many more leaves and increase in overall height.

The new variety is moderately drought tolerant and adapts well to conditions of bright light or heavy shade (exterior and interior). The intensity of leaf colour varies with exposure to light and the contrast is most intense under high light conditions.

The leaves show a variegated colouration, with the whole leaf of dark green and a central area longitudinally marked by a distinct band consisting of lighter creamy green streaks.

The dark green background coloration of the leaf shows colouration similar to RHS Green 136A. The transverse horizontal bands so typically seen in most Sansevieria trifasciata cultivars are essentially absent on the dark green background but are indistinctly seen on the central lighter band. The characteristic (and unique to ‘HANSOTI43’) light greenish to creamy yellow band of streaks range from Yellow-Green N144C to 144A.

To put it in another way, the creamy-yellow border forms 5 to 10% of the leaf width in the parent Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Hahnii Marginata’ but consistently forms 30 to 50% and sometimes even more of the width of the leaf in the invention, ‘HANSOTI43’.

The backside of the leaves has similar coloration (the green background is slightly lighter, nearer RHS Green 136B) except that the typical Sansevieria trifasciata transverse horizontal banding is more visible. Though not prominent is still more obvious compared to the top surface of the leaf. The broad band of streaks seen on top of the leaf is also seen at the bottom surface and is similarly coloured but is slightly less prominent.

Attached colour pictures are a better guide to the overall colouration and variegation pattern rather than written descriptions. The primary distinctive characteristic is the lighter longitudinal broad band consisting of light greenish to creamy yellow streaks within the broad darker green leaf.

PARENTAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new Sansevieria ‘HANSOTI43’ are similar to plants of the parental cultivar, however, ‘HANSOTI43’ differs in the characteristics described in Table 1.

TABLE 1
		Parent Cultivar
		‘Hansoti22’
	Characteristic	‘Star & Stripes’	New cv ‘Hansoti43’
1.	Leaf size	10 to 13 cm long	9 to 11 cm long
2.	Number of leaves	9 to 12 leaves	10 to 13 leaves (More
			leaves)
3.	Variegation	Cream border on dark	Dark green leaf with
	Pattern	green leaves plus wide	wide central band of
		central band of light	light green/creamy
		green/creamy yellow	yellow streaks. No border
		streaks.	to the leaf whatsoever.
4.	Border	1 to 9 mm wide cream	No border variegation.
	variegation	border
5.	Central	20 to 30 mm wide	20 to 30 mm wide
	Variegation	band of lighter	band of lighter
		green/creamy yellow	green/creamy yellow
		streaks	streaks

COMMERCIAL COMPARATOR

Plants of the new Sansevieria ‘HANSOTI43’ are similar to the commercial variety Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Hahnii Jade’, unpatented. Plants of the new Sansevieria ‘HANSOTI43’ differ from plants of the commercial cultivar in the characteristics described in Table 2.

TABLE 2
		Similar Cultivar
		‘Hahnii Jade’
	Characteristic	(unpatented)	New ‘Hansoti43’
1.	Leaf	10-13 cm long	9 to 11 cm long
2.	Number of leaves	10-13 leaves	10 to 13 leaves
3.	Variegation	Dark green leaves	Dark green leaf with
	Pattern	with no variegation	wide central band of light
		or longitudinal streaks	green/creamy yellow
		and no hint of	streaks. Transverse
		transverse banding	banding present but very
		typical of S. trifasciata	subdued and seen only
		cultivars.	within the areas marked
			by the central streaks.
4.	Border	None	No border variegation.
	variegation
5.	Central	None - full leaf is	20 to 30 mm wide
	Variegation	uniform dark green.	band of lighter
			green/creamy yellow
			streaks

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Sansevieria cultivar ‘HANSOTI43’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the color of ‘HANSOTI43’.

These pictures illustrate the plant form which is the unique characteristic of ‘HANSOTI43’ and at the same time demonstrates that plant coloration and variegation pattern is similar to several other Sansevieria trifasciata cultivars. All plants were grown in an open poly house (high tunnel) at Village Asle, District Satara, Maharashtra State in Western India. Average temperature in Asle is 25° C. with summer highs of 39° C. and winter lows of 6° C. Plants grow under natural light conditions and between 30% to 75% shade levels depending on the season (higher shade in hot summer conditions). These conditions closely approximate those used in commercial practice in India.

FIG. 1 shows a top view of a three-month old (from rooted liner) plant of Sansevieria ‘HANSOTI43’ in a 12 cm diameter pot.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a plant of ‘HANSOTI43’.

FIG. 3 shows a group of 14 ‘HANSOTI43’ plants in a tray, showing uniformity across multiple plants of this new cultivar.

FIG. 4 shows the parent plant Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Hansoti22’ (bottom left) alongside a plant of the similar cultivar Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Hahnii Jade’ (bottom right) and ‘HANSOTI43’ (top center) to compare the three.

FIG. 5 is a comparison of individual leaves of Sansevieria ‘Hansoti22’, the parental variety, (top row) and leaves of the comparable cultivar Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Hahnii Jade’ (bottom row)—with leaves Sansevieria ‘HANSOTI43’ (center row) the absence of leaf border along leaf edge, and novel streaking in the center of leaves of ‘HANSOTI43’ is very obvious.

FIG. 6: Shows a comparison of the bottom (abaxial) surface of individual leaves of Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Hansoti22’ (top row) the parental variety-as well as leaves of Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Hahnii Jade’ (bottom row) with leaves Sansevieria ‘HANSOTI43’ (center row) to allow comparison between all three cultivars.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Sansevieria ‘HANSOTI43’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, fertilizer levels and composition and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe the new Sansevieria cultivar ‘HANSOTI43’ plants grown in an open poly house (high tunnel) at Village Asle, District Satara, Maharashtra State in Western India. Average temperature in Asle is 25° C., with summer highs of 39° C. and winter lows of 6° C. Plants grow under natural light conditions and between 30% to 75% shade levels depending on the season (higher shade in hot summer conditions).

This crop gets nearly constant fertilization to increase production. Controlled release fertilizer of slow release 13:11:11 Type 360-days release at 1 kilo/cubic meter of media, Constant Liquid Feed at approximately 100 ppm N, 20 ppm P and 100 ppm K, along with complete micronutrients. Production is closely related with proper and complete plant nutrition and an open soilless growing media based on coconut coir. The plants are grown in plastic pots on metal benching in spacing trays.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), (April 2009) except where general colors of ordinary significance are used.

The photographs and descriptions were taken during the monsoon season in Asle, District Satara, Maharashtra State, India when outdoor day temperature was 25° C. to 30° C., and nighttime temperatures of 10° C. to 15° C. The age of the plants described is 3-4 months.

• Botanical classification: Sansevieria trifasciata ‘HANSOTI43’.
• General information:
  • • Parentage.—Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Hansoti22’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 33,126.
    • Optimal growth conditions.—Light intensities: High adaptability to outdoor or indoor conditions. Temperature: Day: 25° C. to 35° C. Night: 15° C. to 25° C. Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 6° C. and a high temperature of 38° C. and above — very heat tolerant. Fertilization: Constant feed of 100 ppm N, 20 ppm P and 100 ppm K is used along with micronutrients with occasional leaching. Growth regulators: Not necessary for growth, however rooting hormone aids in rapid and prolific rooting of offsets.
• Propagation:
  • • Typical.—Vegetative, by side suckers which come true to type. Does not come true from leaf cuttings.
    • Rooting habit and description.—Rhizomes are elongated, fleshy, giving rise to offsets (side shoots). Offsets root easily with fibrous adventitious roots from cut end. Rooting hormone helps in faster and more prolific rooting. Colored cream to brown, not accurately measured with R.H.S. chart.
    • Time to initiate roots.—15 to 20 days at 25° C. to 30° C.
    • Time to produce a rooted liner.—About 45 days at 25° C. to 30° C.
    • Time to produce ready 12 cm potted plant from liner.—About 3 months at 25° C. to 30° C.
• Plant:
  • • General appearance and form.—Monocot; leaf bases arranged in a rosette around growth point.
    • Height.—About 10 to 12 cm when grown in 12 cm pots.
    • Spread.—About 15 to 17 cm when grown when grown in a 12 cm size container.
    • Growth rate and habit.—Moderate growth rate, stays flat and compact.
    • Shape.—Rosette.
    • Fragrance.—None.
    • Stem.—Modified (rhizomes which are fleshy with erect foliage, branching and giving offsets so forming clumps in time).
    • Rosette height.—About 10 to 12 cm height from top of pot when grown in 12 cm size container.
    • Rosette diameter.—About 15 cm to 17 cm.
    • Texture.—Smooth, waxy.
    • Colour.—As described above.
    • Strength.—Strong and durable.
    • Internode length.—About 1 mm.
• Foliage:
  • • Quantity.—About 10 to 14 in ready to sell plant. Number slowly increases with age.
    • Arrangement and attachment.—Single, alternate; leaf bases arranged stiffly in a rosette around central growth point.
    • Leaf length.—About 10 to 12 cm, full-size leaf.
    • Leaf width.—About 5 to 6 cm, full-size leaf.
    • Overall shape of leaf.—Lanceolate.
    • Apex shape.—Acute, triangular and aristate, with soft tip.
    • Base shape.—Plane.
    • Margin.—Sharp, smooth.
    • Texture.—Upper Surface: Smooth and waxy texture.
    • Texture.—Under Surface: Smooth and waxy texture.
    • Pubescence.—None.
    • Color of mature leaf.—Upper Surface: Basal dark green colour near RHS Green 136A with a central wide band with streaks of Yellow-Green N144C to N144D. Cross hatching, or transverse bands so typical of Sansevieria trifasciata cultivars not seen.
    • Margins.—Same dark green as rest of leaf. No border at all.
    • Color of mature leaf.—Lower Surface: Similar to the adaxial surface but a shade lighter (nearer RHS Green 136B) and with reasonably obvious transverse banding seen. The longitudinal band of streaks still obviously seen.
    • Crossbanding.—Barely discernible on top surface; visible but indistinct on bottom surface of leaf.
    • Venation.—Pattern: Longitudinal/parallel leaf shape.
    • Venation color.—Indistinguishable from leaf blade.
    • Leaf fragrance.—None.
• Other:
  • • Inflorescence description.—Flowers not observed to date.
    • Weather resistance.—Moderately drought tolerant.
    • Pest resistance.—Reasonably resistant to pests, susceptible to root mealybugs (Rhizoecus pritchardi). Typical pests include Pseudococcidae longispinus and Tetranychus urticae.
    • Disease resistance.—Shown to be more resistant to Anthracnose than Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Hahnii Jade’.
    • Fruit/seed production.—No fruits/seeds detected to date.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Sansevieria plant named ‘HANSOTI43’ as herein illustrated and described.