<i>Acer </i>plant named ‘SONKOOT9’

Abstract

A new cultivar of Acer palmatum tree named ‘SONKOOT9’ that is characterized by its broadly spreading upright plant habit, its leaves with laciniate leaf lobes (dissectum-like), its young leaves that are orange in color, and its summer foliage that is yellow to yellow green in color.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Acer palmatum tree named ‘SONKOOT9’ as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance and distinct characteristics of the new cultivar as grown in Kaatsheuvel, The Netherlands.

(2) FIG. 1 provides a close-up view of the spring foliage of ‘SONKOOT9’ as a tree 5-years-in-age as grown outdoors.

(3) The photograph in FIG. 2 provides a close-up view of the semi-mature foliage of ‘SONKOOT9’ of a tree 13 months in age as grown in a conventional greenhouse in a 21-cm container.

(4) The photograph in FIG. 3 provides a close-up view of the mature leaves of ‘SONKOOT9’ as a tree 13 months in age as grown in a conventional greenhouse in a 21-cm container.

(5) The colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the colors of the new Acer.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(6) The following is a detailed description of 23-month-old trees of the new cultivar as grown in a greenhouse under ambient light in 21-cm containers in June in Kaatsheuvel, The Netherlands. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, as it has not been tested under all possible environmental conditions. The color determination is in accordance with The 2015 Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. General description: Plant type.—Deciduous shrub. Plant habit.—Broadly spreading and upright. Height and spread.—An average of 69.5 cm in height and 84.5 cm in diameter as a 23-month old tree, reaches about 2 m in height and spread in the landscape. Cold hardiness.—At least to U.S.D.A. Zone 6. Diseases and pests.—No susceptibility or resistance to diseases or pest has been observed. Root description.—Fibrous, freely branched. Propagation.—Stem cuttings. Root development.—Time required for root initiation is an average of 5 weeks, time required to produce a rooted cutting is an average of 6 months. Growth rate.—Moderate to highly vigorous. Branch description: Stem shape.—Round. Stem size.—An average of 52.7 cm in length, 2.75 mm in diameter. Stem surface.—Slightly glossy. Stem color.—Young; 161A, lower side 164A, mature; 164A, lower side a blend of 145A and 146D, internodes 146D, older stems; 147B and 147D. Stem strength.—Strong. Stem aspect.—An average angle of 47.5° to vertical. Internode length.—An average of 5.7 cm. Branching.—Very freely branching, 3 main branches and 23 secondary branches per main branches. Foliage description: Leaf shape.—Palmately, deeply lobed to cleft, broadly ovate to orbicular in outline. Leaf division.—Simple. Leaf base.—Hastate. Leaf apex.—Narrow acute. Leaf fragrance.—None. Leaf venation.—Palmate, color; young upper surface 13B to 13C, young lower surface 170A, mature upper surface 145A, mature lower surface 146D. Leaf quantity.—An average of 20 (10 pairs) per lateral branch. Leaf margins.—Laciniate, biserrate, 5 lobes, sinus depth is very deep, sinus orientation is convergent. Leaf arrangement.—Opposite. Leaf aspect.—Flat, leaves in an average angle of 57.5° to lateral branch. Leaf attachment.—Petiolate. Leaf surface.—Texture of both surfaces glabrous and smooth, very slightly glossy, main veins of young leaves sparsely covered with a thin pubescence on both sides, an average of 0.3 mm in length, too small to measure. Leaf size.—Average of 7.5 cm in length and width. Leaf color.—Young leaves upper surface; 168B, 169C and 169D, fading in spring to 151C, narrowly margined 170A, young leaves lower surface; 151A, broadly margined 170A, later in spring fading to 151B to 151C, narrowly margined 170A, mature upper and lower surface 144B, fall upper and upper lower surface; 169A to 169D and 170A to 170B. Petioles.—Average of 3.1 cm in length and 1 mm in diameter, both surfaces moderately glossy, strong, upper surface color; 181B, lower surface color; 150D and 160D. Stipules.—None. Inflorescence description: None produced to date. Fruit and seed: None produced.