<i>Picea pungens </i>tree named ‘INHWB’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of Picea pungens tree having a uniform, compact, and globose tree shape, is wider than tall, has blue-green leaves, and is tolerant to USDA Zones 2 to 8, is disclosed.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of Picea pungens tree designated ‘INHWB’ as illustrated and described herein.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) This new Picea pungens tree is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show the plant's overall plant habit including form and foliage. The photographs are of a 9-years and 10-month-old tree grown in a container in Boring, Oreg. taken in December 2021 under cloudy conditions. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.

(2) FIG. 1 shows the overall form of the whole tree of ‘INHWB’.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a close-up of the buds and needles or leaves of the tree of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a close-up of the terminal branch shoot of the tree of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) The following detailed descriptions set for the distinctive characteristics of ‘INHWB’. The data which define these characteristics were collected outdoors in Boring, Oreg. in December 2021. The trees were 9-years and 10-month-old tree grown in a container in Boring, Oreg. when the descriptions were taken. Color references are to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) 2001, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. Classification: Family.—Pinaceae. Botanical.—Picea pungens. Denomination.—‘INHWB’. Tree: Type.—Evergreen conifer. Shape.—Uniform, compact, and globose; wider than tall. Growth and branching habit.—Single flush, monopodial but lacking a dominant orthotropic shoot, branch shoots are plagiotropic of equivalent length. Propagation type.—Grafting onto Picea abies rootstock (Unpatented). Height (from soil line).—40 cm at 10 years. Width (horizontal plant diameter).—80 cm at 10 years. Length of terminal 1-year shoots.—4.0 cm to 8.0 cm. Length of subterminal 1-year shoots.—3.5 cm to 5.5 cm. Diameter of trunk.—6.5 cm at 10 years. Temperature tolerance or zones.—USDA Zones 2 to 8. Leaves (needles): Arrangement.—Radial, single. Quantity of leaves per terminal one-year branch shoot.—310 needles. Quantity of leaves per subterminal one-year branch shoot.—85 needles. Shape.—Needle-like, acicular. Apex.—Acute. Base.—Attenuate, attached to leaf peg. Margin.—Entire, smooth. Leaf length, terminal shoot.—Basal: 1.5 cm to 2.5 cm; Medial: 2.0 cm to 3.0 cm; Distal: 1.0 cm to 2.0 cm. Leaf length, subterminal shoot.—Basal: 0.5 cm to 1.5 cm; Medial: 1.5 cm to 2.5 cm; Distal: 0.5 cm to 1.5 cm. Width.—0.2 cm. Texture.—Dull smooth covered with waxy layer. Pubescence.—Absent. Mature leaf color for both upper and lower surfaces.—RHS 112C (Blue-Green). Mature leaf color when wax rubbed off.—RHS 189A (Greyed-Green). Petioles.—Leaves are sessile on short peg. Buds: Color.—RHS 168C (Greyed-Orange). Bud shape.—Broadly conical. Height.—0.8 cm to 1.2 cm. Width.—0.6 cm to 1.0 cm. Cones: No male or female cones have been observed to date. Disease/pest resistance: No specific disease or pest resistance has been observed to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL LINES

(6) Table 1 shows a comparison of differences between ‘INHWB’ the mutation parent.

(7) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Comparison with Mutation Parent Characteristic ‘INHWB’ Mutation Parent ‘Hoopsii’ Shape Globose Broad upright Growth rate per year 4.0 cm to 8.0 cm 22.0 cm to 38.0 cm Size, height and width 40 cm × 80 cm 230 cm × 135 cm at 10-years-old

(8) Table 2 shows a comparison of the differences between ‘INHWB’ and the commercial Picea pungens tree ‘Montgomery’ (Unpatented).

(9) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Comparison with Commercial Line Characteristic ‘INHWB’ ‘Montgomery’ Immature shape Uniform and globose Irregular flattened mound Mature shape Globose - wider than Pyramidal shape tall Growth rate per year 4.0 cm to 8.0 cm 10.0 cm to 20.0 cm Size height by width 40 cm × 80 cm 90 cm × 105 cm at 10 years Color RHS 112C (Blue- RHS 122B (Blue- Green) Green)