<i>Hedychium </i>plant ‘CHEN XI’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Hedychium plant named ‘CHEN XI’ is disclosed characterized by robust plants with resistance to Pyricularia zingiberi (Ginger Blast). Inflorescences are dense and composed of attractive salmon and yellow flowers with orange-red anthers. The new variety is useful as an ornamental plant in warm, wet climates.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Hedychium plant named ‘CHEN XI’ as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The accompanying photographs illustrate in full color typical plants of ‘CHEN XI’ grown outdoors, in the ground in Guangdong Province, China. The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and equipment. While the colors in these photographs may display variances of color as compared to the living cultivar, due to LRV (light reflectance value), they are as accurate as possible using conventional photographic techniques. Colors in the photographs may appear to differ slightly from the color values cited in the botanical description, which accurately describe the colors of the new Hedychium plant. Temperatures ranged from approximately 12° C. to 38° C. night and day. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to the plants.

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical of plant of Hedychium ‘CHEN XI’ at approximately 12 months.

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a typical inflorescence of Hedychium ‘CHEN XI’.

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates in full color typical flowers of Hedychium ‘CHEN XI’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(5) In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2001, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘CHEN XI’ plants in a commercial greenhouse in Guangdong Province, China. Average day temperature was around 25° C.; average night temperature was around 18° C. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to the plants. Natural light conditions were full sunlight. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. Measurements were taken during November of 2020. Botanical classification: Hedychium hybrid ‘CHEN XI’.

PROPAGATION

(6) Type of propagation typically used: Division from side shoots. About 7 days at temperatures above 15° C.

PLANT

(7) Age of plant described: Approximately 12 months. Container size of the plant described: Field planted. Growth habit: Tropical and subtropical perennial composed of an herbaceous pseudostem. Columnar in shape. Flowering from July until December with the most blooms occurring September through November. Height: Average range 135 to 150 cm. Plant spread: Approximately 50 cm. Growth rate: Moderate. Branching characteristics: No branching. Root description: Cylindrical rhizomes. 30 to 50 cm long, 5 mm in diameter. Fleshy, colored near Yellow-White 158B.

FOLIAGE

(8) Leaf: Arrangement.—Alternate, single. Average length.—Average 40 cm. Average width.—7.0 cm. Shape of blade.—Lanceolate. Apex.—Acute. Base.—Wedge-shaped. Margin.—Entire. Attachment.—Sessile sheath. Texture of top surface.—Glabrous, leathery. Texture of bottom surface.—Glabrous. Main vein has a slight pubescence. Appearance of top surface.—Matte. Appearance of bottom surface.—Matte. Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 141C. Young foliage, under side: Near RHS Green 137C. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 141C. Mature foliage, under side: Near RHS Green 137C. Venation.—Type: Linear. Venation color upper side: Near Green 138C. Venation color under side: Near Green 137C. Sheath: Average length.—Approximately 1 cm. Average diameter.—Approximately 5 mm. Color.—Upper surface: Near Yellow-Green N144B. Lower surface: Near Yellow-Green N144B. Texture.—Glabrous.

FLOWER

(9) Natural flowering season: Flowering from July until December with the most blooms occurring September through November. Inflorescence type and habit: Short spicate, typically with 60 to 70 flowers. 1 inflorescence per plant. Individual flowers papilionaceous, held upright. Inflorescence longevity as a cut flower: 4 to 5 days. Flower longevity on plant: Individual flower 1 day. Total inflorescence size.—Height: Approximately 12 to 15 cm. Width: Approximately 10 cm. Corolla.—Arrangement: Papilionaceous. Longevity: 1 day. Size: Length: Approximately 8 cm. Width: Approximately 4.5 cm to 5 cm. Tube Length: Approximately 4.5 cm. Tube Diameter: Approximately 0.2 cm. Throat Diameter: Approximately 0.2 cm. Lateral corolla lobe: Quantity.—3. Margin.—Entire. Shape.—Narrow spatulate. Apex.—Gently tapering. Base.—Fused. Texture.—Glabrous all surfaces. Length.—3 cm. Width.—6 mm. Color.—When opening: Color, upper surface: Yellow-Orange 15B. Color, under surface: Yellow-Orange 15B. Fully opened: Color, upper surface: Yellow-Orange 15B. Color, under surface: Yellow-Orange 15B. Color Changes when Aging: Near RHS Red-36C all surface. Throat color.—Near RHS Orange-Red 35B. Tube color.—Near RHS Yellow-Orange 22C, interior and exterior. Lateral petaloids (staminal petaloids): Arrangement.—Opposite. Quantity.—2. Length.—3.0 cm. Width.—1.2 cm. Shape.—Elongated ovate. Margin.—Entire. Apex.—Obtuse. Base.—Truncate. Texture.—Glabrous all surfaces. Color: When opening: Upper surface: Yellow-Orange 16D. Under surface: Yellow-Orange 16D. Fully opened: Upper surface: Yellow-Orange 16D. Under surface: Yellow Orange 16D. Labellum: Placement.—At the apex of the flower. Quantity.—1, fused only at lowermost base, forming the appearance of 2. Length.—3.0 cm. Width.—1.8 cm. Shape.—Overall spatulate, 2 ovate lobes, fused only at very base. Margin.—Entire. Apex.—Obtuse. Base.—Truncate. Texture.—Glabrous all surfaces. Color: When opening: Upper surface: Yellow-Orange 16D. Under surface: Yellow-Orange 16D. Fully opened: Upper surface: Yellow-Orange 16D. Under surface: Yellow-Orange 16D. Sepals: Quantity.—1, covering bud, then shriveling. Length.—2.8 cm. Width.—6 mm. Shape.—Ligulate. Apex.—Gently tapering. Margin.—Entire. Texture.—Glabrous and fleshy all surfaces. Color.—Upper Surface: Near Yellow-Green 145D. Under Surface: Near Yellow-Green 145D. Bud: (near opening): Shape.—Cylindrical ovate. Length.—Approximately 5 cm. Diameter.—Approximately 7 mm. Texture.—Glabrous. Color.—Near Yellow 13B. Peduncle: Length.—Average 1.5 cm. Width.—Average 1.0 cm. Strength.—Very strong. Texture.—Glabrous. Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 144C. Pedicels: Length.—Approximately 1.5 cm. Width.—Approximately 1.0 cm. Strength.—Moderate. Texture.—Glabrous. Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 144C. Angle.—Upright. Floral bracts: Quantity.—2. Length.—Approximately 3.2 cm. Width.—Approximately 2.0 cm. Strength.—Moderate. Texture.—Glabrous, leathery. Color.—Near RHS Green 143C. Fragrance: Moderately weak.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

(10) Stamens: (Androecium). Number.—Average 1. Filament length.—Approximately 3.0 cm. Filament color.—Near RHS Orange-Red 35B. Anther length.—8 mm. Anther color.—Near RHS Orange-Red 35A. Anther shape.—Elliptic. Pollen color.—Near RHS Yellow-White 158D. Pollen quantity.—Scant. Pistil: (Gynoecium). Number.—1. Length.—Approximately 3.5 cm. Style length.—3 cm. Style color.—Yellow 11D. Stigma.—Shape: Oblate. Color: Near Green 143B. Ovary Color: Near RHS Yellow 11D.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(11) Fruits and seeds: Not observed. Temperature tolerance: Tolerates temperatures from approximately 2° C. to at least 40° C. Disease/pest resistance: Observed resistance to Ginger blast (Pyricularia zingiberi). Neither resistance nor susceptibility to other normal diseases Hedychium observed. Neither resistance nor susceptibility to normal pests of Hedychium observed. Drought tolerance: No tolerance for drought.