Crape-myrtle named Summer Fantasy
The subject of the present disclosure is a new and distinct variety of crape-myrtle, named `Summer Fantasy`, which is characterized by its bright red purple blooms and its dwarf habit. The new variety is hardy, well-branched and produces a heavy quantity of blooms.
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The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of crape-myrtle, the variety being primarily characterized by bright red purple blooms.
The variety is further characterized by:
Flat-spreading performance having a (hill spread)/(height) ratio of about 2.5, disc-shaped form, dwarf habit (about 30 cm height), heavy branching habit and an extremely numerous amount of blooms.
The new crape-myrtle variety originated in 1985 as a seedling resulting from the crossing of a pair of crape-myrtle plants. The seed parent was `Summer And Summer`, Lagerstroemia indica L., which was bred at a research farm in Uchino-cho, Niigata-shi, Niigata-ken, Japan, and the pollen parent was `Issai-Sarusuberi`, Lagerstroemia indica L. This crossing was done at the same research farm described above in 1984 with the object of producing plants having flowers of different colors from the seed parent, `Summer And Summer.` The seed parent, `Summer And Summer` has been registered under No. 1733 on Aug. 18, 1988, under the Japanese Seed and Seedlings Law. The pollen parent, `Issai-Sarusuberi` is a well-known and popular crape-myrtle plant and is under no protection, such as a patent or plant variety protection certificate. In 1986, the asexual reproduction of this selected seedling was done by me and under my direction at the same research farm by green shoot cutting. Then, observations were made for 2-4 years of grown plants during 1987-1989. The continuous asexual propagation has demonstrated that the novel characteristics would hold true from generation to generation, appear to be firmly fixed, and are transmitted without change through succeeding propagations.
The new crape-myrtle variety differs from its seed parent and pollen parent in the following ways.
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New Variety Seed Parent
Summer Fantasy
Summer And Summer
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Tree-Performance
flat-spreading
flat-spreading
(hill spread)/
2.5 3.0
(tree height) ratio
Tree form disc disc
Tree height (cm)
dwarf (27.8) dwarf (20.0)
Branching Habit
heavy medium
(number of branches
11.0 5.8
on a main trunk)
Number of numerous medium
inflorescences
8.5 5.0
per one cluster
Number of numerous medium
flowers per 67.8 32.0
one inflorescence
Petal color bright red purple
strong purplish
JHS Color Chart
pink
9506 or RHS JHS Color Chart
Colour Chart 63B,
9205 or RHS Colour
67B, 71C Chart 68A, 68B, 73A
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Pollen Parent
Issai-Sarusuberi
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Tree-Performance
upright
(hill spread)/(tree height)
0.43
ratio
Tree form obovoid
Tree height (cm)
shrub (130.0)
Branching Habit sparse 4.4
(number of branches on a
main truck)
Number of inflorescences
little
per one cluster 3.5
Number of flowers per
medium
one inflorescence
26.0
Petal color vivid red purple
JHS Color Chart
9507 or RHS
Colour Chart 71B
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The new crape-myrtle variety may be reproduced with ease by stem cuttings. Just after root taking, young shoots come out and spread as growth proceeds. The variety becomes to show full flat-spreading in tree performance and disc shape in tree form, before appearance of flower buds. The tree height of an adult tree is about 30 cm and the hill spread is about 2.5 times the tree height.
The variety shows heavy branching habit and bears numerous flowers and buds. The blooming period of the variety is long, from July to October in Niigata-shi, Niigata-ken, Japan and in similar climate elsewhere. The variety also shows a good cold hardiness and can overwinter well without being supported with a pole even in a snowy area.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe accompanying drawings show typical specimens of the new variety in color as nearly true as is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this character. In each instance, the photographs were taken at the same research farm noted above in August, 1989.
FIG. 1 is a complete view of the new variety together with a scale wherein the dwarf habit of the new variety is apparent.
FIG. 2 is a closer view of a blooming peduncle showing the characteristics of the flower and immature fruit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANTThe following is a detailed description of the characteristics of the new variety as observed at the same research farm noted above. Color designations are made by reference to J.H.S. Color Chart (Japan Horticultural Scale), and R.H.S. Colour Chart (Royal Horticultural Society) except where common terms of color definition are employed.
Plant:
Tree performance.--Flat-spreading with a (hill spread)/(tree height) ratio of about 2.5.
Tree form.--Disc type.
Tree height.--Dwarf, about 25 to 35 cm in adult trees.
Stem:
Type of trunk.--Bush.
Trunk color.--Purplish brown.
Young bud.--Brown in color.
Branches.--Color: Reddish brown. Thickness: 4.0 mm (ave. of 50 shoots). Appearance of branch edge: Obvious. Branching habit: Heavy, about 11.0 branches in average on a main trunk. Internode length: Short, about 1 to 2 cm.
Foliage:
Average leaf length.--About 6.3 cm.
Average leaf width.--About 3.1 cm.
Leaflets (lamina).--Broad lanceolate-shaped.
Top of leaflets.--Acute-shaped (72.3.degree.).
Base of leaflets.--Acute-shaped.
Margin.--Entire.
Wave of leaflets.--None.
Thickness of leaflets.--0.4 mm (ave. of 50 leaflets).
Color of immature leaflets.--Vivid yellow green (J.H.S. Color Chart 3506) or (R.H.S. Colour Chart 144B).
Color of mature leaflets.--Upper side is dark green (J.H.S. Color Chart 3716) or (R.H.S. Colour Chart 137A, 137B, 147A), under side is dull yellow green (J.H.S. Color Chart 3514) or (R.H.S. Colour Chart 146B, 147B, 148B).
Mottling.--None.
Color change.--Red.
Luster.--Weakly-glossy finish.
Hair.--None on both the upper surface and the under surface.
Petiole.--Pale green in color. Length: 1.0 to 1.1 mm.
Flower:
Bud.--Trapezoidal.
Cluster.--Conic-shaped, upward, broad and long.
Inflorescence.--Numerous, 8.5 on average per one cluster.
Semiinflorescence.--4 to 8 per the lowest inflorescence.
Number of flowers.--67.8 on average per one inflorescence.
Shape or form.--Single, six petals.
Fragrance.--Present, slight.
Pedicel.--4.5 to 5.5 mm. length.
Appearance of calyx tube edge.--Developed.
Petals:
Color.--Overall bright red purple (J.H.S. Color Chart 9506) or (R.H.S. Colour Chart 63B, 67B, 71C) with no variation and slight fading in tone.
Shape.--Orbiculate with strong wave.
Petal base.--Bright red purple (J.H.S. Color Chart 9506) or (R.H.S. Colour Chart 63B, 67B, 71C) in color, and the length of the claw is 8 to 9 mm.
Reproductive organs:
Style.--Strong red.
Pistil.--One.
Filaments.--Pale red.
Anthers.--Yellow.
Stamens.--30 to 35 arranged around the pistil.
Fruit:
Shape.--Ellipsoid, 10 mm in length (ave. of 50 fruits) and medium in width, being rotundate on the base and top.
Color.--Green in immaturity, and changes to dark purple in maturity.
Growth:
Habit.--Dwarf, 25 to 35 cm height.
First foliage appears.--April.
Blooming term.--July to October.
Days for bearing flowers.--About 100.
Defoliation.--November.
Cold hardiness.--High.
Heat tolerance.--High.
Disease resistance.--High.
Pest resistance.--High.
Species designation: `Summer Fantasy` is designated as Lagerstroemia indica L. hybrid.
The present new variety can survive at a temperature as low as -15.degree. C. and is resistant to Cercospora lythracearum Heald et Wolf, generally known as leaf blight.
The following additional descriptive botanical information is also provided:
Bloom diameter: 4.5 to 5.3 cm.
Petal size (width): 1.5 to 1.8 cm.
Persistence of individual blooms: One day from blooming, on the second day after blooming, the flower color begins to fade gradually.
Fertile Seeds: Are observed.
(i) Seed color.--Dark-grayish brown (J.H.S. Color Chart 1619) or (R.H.S. Colour Chart 200C).
(ii) Samara.--Seed winged at top.
(iii) Seed size.--Length: 6.3 mm. (avg. of 50 seeds). Width: 2.9 mm. (avg. of 50 seeds).
(iv) Number of seeds per fruit.--23 (avg. of 50 fruits).
Tree width: 69.5 cm. (avg. value of 50 plants).
As will be apparent to those skilled in horticultural science, the new variety as herein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soil and cultural conditions under which the variety may be grown and the stage of growth.
Claims
1. A new and distinct variety of crape-myrtle plant, substantially as herein described and illustrated.
Type: Grant
Filed: May 25, 1990
Date of Patent: Sep 8, 1992
Assignee: Hokuetsu Nohji Co., Ltd. (Niigata)
Inventor: Kiyoshi Katsuo (Bunsui)
Primary Examiner: Howard J. Locker
Law Firm: Oblon, Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt
Application Number: 7/528,355
International Classification: A01H 500;
